A    HISTORY 


THE  UNITED  STATES; 


USE  OF  SCHOOLS  AND  ACADEMIES. 


A  NEW  EDITION,  BEVTSED  AND  CONTINUED  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 


BY    JOHN    FROST. 


Battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Falma. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

THOMAS,    COWPERTHWAIT  &  CO. 
1849. 


ADVERTISEMENT 
TO    THE    SECOND    EDITION. 

As  the  alterations  and  corrections  in  this  edition  refer  chiefly  to 
single  words  and  dates,  it  will  be  found  to  contain  nothing  which 
will  prevent  its  being  conveniently  used  in  the  same  class  with  the 
first  edition.  As  the  work  is  now  stereotyped,  its  present  form, 
paging,  &c.  will  of  course  be  permanently  retained. 


ENTERED  according  to  Act  of  CongreM,  in  the  year  1837,  by 

JOHN  FROST, 

in  the  Office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Eastern  District 
of  Pennsylvania. 


PREFACE. 


THE  utility  of  history  as  a  branch  of  school  instruction  is 
now  so  generally  admitted,  that  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  offer 
any  arguments  in  its  favour ;  and  the  necessity  of  giving  the 
history  of  our  own  country  the  first  place,  is  equally  obvious 
to  the  reflecting  reader.  The  manner  in  which  this  interesting 
subject  should  be  presented  to  the  mind  of  the  young  student, 
is  the  only  point  of  inquiry  with  writers  and  teachers. 

In  preparing  the  following  history,  the  author  has  pursued 
that  course  which  appeared  to  him  best  adapted  to  unite  sound 
and  thorough  instruction  with  entertainment.  Beginning 
with  the  discovery  of  the  New  World,  and  endeavouring  to 
present  the  series  of  events  in  a  clear  and  connected  narrative, 
rejecting  whatever  he  deemed  irrelevant  or  unimportant,  and 
dwelling  chiefly  on  those  striking  features  of  the  subject  which 
give  it  vividness  and  character,  he  has  brought  it  down  to  the 
present  day.  Although  the  considerable  period  embraced, 
the  multitude  of  characters  and  events  delineated,  and  the 
extent  of  the  field  in  which  they  figure,  have  rendered  the 
preservation  of  historical  unity  no  easy  task,  he  has  laboured 
to  give  the  work  such  a  degree  of  compactness  as  would 
enable  the  student  to  perceive  the  relation  of  all  it  Darts,  and 
to  grasp  the  whole  without  any  very  difficult  exercise  of  com- 
prehension. 

Instead  of  dividing  the  history  into  periods,  according  to  an 
arbitrary  arrangement  of  events,  he  has  chosen  to  adopt  the 
ordinary  system  of  chapters,  founded  on  the  natural  divisions 
of  the  subject.  The  table  of  contemporary  sovereigns,  instead 
of  being  distributed  in  small  portions  at  the  end  of  each  chapter, 
is  thrown  into  the  appendix  for  more  convenient  reference ; 
1*  5 


6  PREFACE. 

and  a  variety  of  illustrative  matter,  which  could  not  be  em 
bodied  in  the  text,  without  disturbing  the  continuity  of  the 
narrative,  and  distracting  the  attention  of  the  student,  has  also 
been  placed  at  the  end  of  the  volume. 

A  leading  title  at  the  top  of  each  page  has  been  inserted, 
with  a  view  to  direct  the  attention  of  the  young  reader  to  the 
principal  events,  and  to  assist  him  in  referring  to  them ;  and 
questions  are  placed  at  the  bottom  of  every  page,  for  those 
teachers  who  prefer  the  use  of  them  to  the  practice  of  ex- 
amining the  student  without  any  such  auxiliary. 

A  number  of  illustrations,  from  original  Drawings,  are  given, 
from  a  conviction  of  their  utility  in  fixing  on  the  mind  of  the 
pupil  a  lasting  impression  of  the  events  to  which  they  relate. 
The  aid  which  is  thus  affordecfto  the  memory  and  the  imagina- 
tion, will  be  readily  understood  by  any  person  who  will  take 
the  trouble  to  compare  the  vivid  impressions  of  historical 
characters  and  scenes,  which  he  has  been  fortunate  enough  to 
receive  from  graphic  illustrations,  with  the  faint  ones  which 
he  may  have  derived  from  mere  narrative. 

Nothing  hr»3  been  omitted  in  the  adaptation  of  the  volume 
to  the  purposes  of  school  instruction,  which  was  considered 
essential  to  its  utility ;  and  if  any  deficiencies  in  this  respect 
should  be  found,  they  ought  to  be  referred  rather  to  an  error 
of  judgment  in  the  author,  than  a  willingness  to  spare  himself 
the  care  and  attention  requisite  for  making  the  work  complete. 

The  volume  is  submitted  to  the  public  with  profound  de- 
ference ;  and  in  the  hope  that  it  may  meet  with  the  same  kind 
indulgence  which  has  been  awarded  to  previous  productions 
of  the  author,  which  have  cost  a  much  smaller  expenditure 
of  labour,  and  whose  destiny  has  been  regarded  with  far  less 
solicitude. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

DISCOVERT    OF    AMERICA.. 

Columbus,  p.  13 — Portuguese  Discoveries  in  Africa,  14 — Columbus  in 
Spain,  15— Columbus's  Outfit,  17 — Landing  of  Columbus  at  San  Salvador 
1 8— Vespucius,  19 — Fate  of  Columbus,  20. 

CHAPTER  II. 

NORTH    AMERICA  DISCOVERED    AND    SETTLED. 

The  Continent  discovered  by  the  Cabots,  p.  20 — French  discoveries,  21- 
Cartier,  21 — Champlain,  22 — Quebec  settled,  23. 

CHAPTER  III. 

THE    SPANIARDS    TAKE    POSSESSION     OF  FLORIDA. 

Ponce  de  Leon,  p.  23 — Narvaez,  24 — Soto's  Expedition,  26 — Soto  in 
Georgia  and  Alabama,  26 — In  Missouri,  27 — The  French  in  Carolina,  28 — 
Massacre  of  the  French  in  Florida,  29 — St.  Augustine  settled,  29 

CHAPTER  IV. 

ENGLAND    ATTEMPTS    TO    COLONISE    THE   UNITED    STATES. 

Drake,  p.  31 — Gilbert,  31 — English  in  North  Carolina,  32 — First  Settle- 
ment of  Roanoke,  32— Virginia  Dare,  34 — Gosnold,  34 — Pring,  Wey- 
mouth,  35. 

CHAPTER  V. 

COLONISATION    OF    VIRGINIA. 

A  company  formed,  p.  35 — First  Charter  of  Virginia,  36 — Newport 
sails,  38 — Settlement  of  Jamestown,  38 — Adventures  of  Captain  Smith, 
39 — The  Gold  Mania,  41 — Second  Charter,  42 — Lord  Delaware,  43 — 
Departure  of  Captain  Smith,  44 — The  Starving  Time,  45 — Arrival  of  Lord 
Delaware,  46 — New  patent  created,  47 — Marriage  of  Pocahontas,  47— 
Tobacco  cultivated,  4§ — Tyranny  of  Argall,  49. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

VIRGINIA    ACQUIRES    CIVIL    FREEDOM. 

Governor  Yeardly  arrives,  p.  50 — First  colonial  Assembly,  50 — The  Vir- 
ginians acquire  Homes,  50 — Introduction  of  Slavery,  52 — The  Indians,  52 
— Great  Massacre,  53. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

INDIAN    "WAR DISSOLUTION    OF    THE    LONDON    COMPANY. 

The  great  Massacre  avenged,  p.  55 — Dissolution  of  the  London  Company, 
56  -Progress  of  civil  freedom,  57 — Designs  of  Charles  1,58 — Indian  War, 


8  CONTENTS. 

59 — Episcopacy  established,  59 — Virginia  adheres  to  Charles  I,  59 — Capk 
•ulates  to  the  Commonwealth,  60. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

TIHOrSTIA    AFTER    THE   RESTORATION. 

The  Restoration,  p.  61 — Restrictions  on  Commerce,  61 — Discontent  of 
the  Virginians,  62— Bacon's  rebellion,  64 — Heroism  of  Berkeley,  65 — Civil 
War,  65 — Virginia  retains  her  Freedom,  67. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

SETTLEMENT    OF  MARYLAND. 

Clayborne's  Exploration,  p.  67 — Sir  George  Calvert,  68— -Charter  of 
Maryland,  68 — Settlement  of  St.  Mary's,  70 — Clayborne's  Disturbances, 
70 — Maryland  during  the  Civil  War,  71. 

CHAPTER  X. 

FIRST   SETTLEMENT  OF    NEW   ENGLAND. 

Raleigh  Gilbert,  p.  72 — Settlement  on  Kennebec  river.  72 — Smith's 
Voyages  to  New  England,  72 — The  Plymouth  Council,  72 — The  Brownists. 
73 — Voyage  of  the  Pilgrims,  73 — Landing,  77 — Massasoit,  80 — Exploit  of 
Standish,  80 — Treachery  of  Pierce,  81. 

CHAPTER  XL 

PROGRESS    OF  THE    NEW    ENGLAND    COLONIES. 

Gorges  and  Mason's  patent,  p.  83 — Settlement  of  Maine,  83 — Of  Salem 
and  Charlestown,  84 — Of  Boston,  85— Banishment  of  Roger  Williams,  86 — 
Arrival  of  Peter  and  Vane,  87 — Aristocracy  rejected,  88 — Connecticut  settled, 
89 — The  Pequod  War,  90. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

THE    COLONIES    OF    NEW    ENGLAND    UNITED. 

Attempt  to  revoke  the  Charters,  92 — Persecution  of  the  Puritans  in  Eng 
land,  93 — New  England  colonies  united,  94 — Roger  Williams's  mission 
to  England,  95— Maine  united  with  Massachusetts,  96 — Persecution  of 
Quakers,  97. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

NEW    ENGLAND    AFTER    THE   RESTORATION. 

The  Restoration  announced,  p.  98 — Arrival  of  the  Regicides,  98 — The 
Kind's  Letter,  99 — New  Charter  granted,  100 — Charters  endangered,  101 
— King  Philip's  War,  101 — Administration  of  Andros,  103 — Revolution  of 
1688,  103 — Border  Wars,  104 — Controversy  with  the  Crown,  106 — Capture 
of  Louisbourg,  108 — Question  of  Boundaries,  110 — State  of  the  New  Eng- 
land Colonies  in  1754,  111. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

COLONISATION    OF   NEW    YORK. 

Henry  Hudson's  Voyage,  p.  1 1 1 — Settlement  of  New  York,  1 1 1 — ArgalL 
112 — The  New  Netherlands,  112-^Governor  Stuyvesant,  113 — Colonel 
Nichols,  114 — New  York  acquires  civil  Freedom,  115— The  Five  Nations, 
117 — Jacob  Leisler,  120 — Burning  of  Schenectady,  121 — Fall  of  Leisler 
122 — The  Mohawk  Warrior,  124 — Affair  of  Fletcher  and  Wadsworth,  124- 
Piracy — Captain  Kidd,  126— -Lord  Combury,  127 — Administrations  of  Hun 
ter  and  Bumet,  128 — Of  Cosby,  128 — Of  Clinton,  129. 


CONTENTS.  0 

CHAPTER  XV. 

COLONISATION    OF    NEW    JEIISET. 

Settlements  of  the  Swedes  and  Dutch,  p.  129 — New  Jersey  granted  to 
Berkeley,  and  Carteret,  129 — Philip  Carteret,  130 — Andros,  131 — Bur- 
lington settled,  132 — New  Jersey  under  James  II,  133 — Under  William 
and  Mary,  133. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

COLONISATION    OF    DELAWARE. 

The  Swedes  at  Cape  Henlopen,  p.  134 — The  Dutch,  134 — Stuvvesant 
135 — Penn's  purchase,  135 — Separation  from  Pennsylvania,  135. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

COLONISATION    OF     PENNSYLVANIA. 

William  Penn,  p.  136 — His  Charter,  137 — Landing  of  Penn,  138 — Treaty 
with  the  Indians,  138— ^-Pennsylvania  under  William  and  Mary,  139 — Death 
of  Penn,  141 — Franklin's  Mission  to  London,  141. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

COLONISATION    OF   NORTH    CAROLINA. 

Heath's  Patent,  p.  142 — Albemarle  Settlers,  142 — Culpepper's  Insur- 
rection, 144 — Separation  of  the  Carolinas,  145. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

COLONISATION    OF    SOUTH    CAROLINA. 

Sayle'a  Settlement,  p.  146 — Hostility  of  the  Spaniards,  147 — Settlement 
of  Charleston,  148 — Sothel's  Usurpation,  148 — Abolition  of  Proprietary 
Government,  150. 

CHAPTER  XX. 

COLONISATION    OF    GEORGIA. 

Charter,  p.  151 — Oglethorpe,  151 — Whitefield,  153 — Spanish  Hostilities, 
153 — Invasion,  154— Retirement  of  Oglethorpe,  155. 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

COMMENCEMENT    OF    THE   OLD    FRENCH   WAH. 

Origin  of  the  French  War  of  1754,  p.  156 — The  Ohio  Company,  158 — 
Fort  Du  Quesne  built,  160 — Conquest  of  Nova  Scotia,  160— -Braddock's 
Defeat,  161 — Victory  of  Colonel  Johnson,  163 — Campaign  of  1756,  164 — 
Campaign  of  1757, 164. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

CONQUEST    OF    CANADA. 

Pitt's  Ministry,  p.  166 — Campaign  of  1758, 166 — General  Wolfe,  16?— 
Fall  of  Quebec,  169 — Results  or  the  Campaign  of  1760, 170. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

THE   REVOLUTION. 

Scheme  for  Taxing  the  Colonies,  p.  172 — The  Stamp  Act,  173 — First 
Continental  Congress,  174 — Repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act,  174 — New  Taxes 
imposed,  176 — Opposition  to  the  Taxes,  176 — Affair  of  the  Sloop 
Liberty,  177 — British  troops  in  Boston,  178 — Boston  Massacre,  180—- 
Hutchinson's  Letters,  182 — Destruction  of  the  Tea,  183 — Boston  Port 


10  CONTENTS. 

Bill,    185— Proceedings  of  the  Continental  Congress,  186 — Approach  of 
War,  188. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

COMMENCEMENT    OF    THE   BEVOLT7TIONAHT    WAR. 

Battle  of  Concord,  p.  189 — Boston  besieged,  193 — Ticonderoga  and 
Crown  Point  taken,  194 — Battle  of  Breed's  Hill,  195— Falmouth  burnt,  198 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

EXPEDITION    AGAINST    CANADA. 

Invasion — Montreal  taken,  p.  201 — Escape  of  Governor  Carlton,  201- 
Arnold  before  Quebec,  202 — Montgomery  before  Quebec,  203 — Death  of 
Montgomery,  204 — Arnold's  Operations,  204 — The  Americans  retreat,  20& 
— Operations  in  Upper  Canada,  206. 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

CAMPAIGN    OP    1776. 

Attack  on  Charleston,  p.  208 — Defeat  of  the  British,  210 — Indian  War, 
212 — Declaration  of  Independence,  213 — Arrival  of  the  British  at  New 
York,  217 — Defeat  on  Long  Island,  220 — Washington's  Plan  of  Operations, 
222 — Battle  of  White  Plains,  222 — Retreat  through  the  Jerseys,  223 — 
Washington  appointed  Dictator,  224 — Battle  of  Trenton,  225 — Battle  of 
Princeton,  226— Washington  reconquers  the  Jerseys,  227. 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

CAMPAIGN  OP    1777. 

The  Confederation,  p.  228 — American  Privateers,  229 — La  Payette, 
230 — The  Prison  Ships,  230 — Capture  of  General  Prescott,  232 — Operations 
in  New  Jersey,  232 — Battle  of  the  Brandywine,  233 — Battle  of  German- 
town,  234 — Battle  of  Redbank,  235 — Operations  in  the  North,  23fr — Loss 
of  Ticonderoga,  23S — Advance  of  Burgoyne,  238— Battle  of  Bennington, 
240 — Fort  Schuyler  invested,  241 — Murder  of  Miss  Macrea,  242 — Bur- 

foyne  at  Saratoga,  243 — Battles  of  Stillwater  244 — Burgoyne's  Retreat, 
44 — Surrender  of  Burgoyne,  246 — The  Army  at  Valley  Forge,  246 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

CAMPAIGN   OP    1778. 

Conciliatory  Offers  of  England,  p.  248 — Death  of  Chatham,  249 — General 
Reed,  250 — Retreat  of  Barren  Hill,  251 — Battle  of  Monmouth,  252 — Attempt 
to  recover  Rhode  Island,  253 — Massacre  at  Wyoming,  254 — Defeat  of  Ge- 
neral Howe,  255 — Loss  of  the  Randolph,  255. 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

CAMPAIGN    OF    1779. 

Virginia  ravaged,  p.  257 — Putnam's  Ride,  257 — Storming  of  Stony  Point, 
258 — Operations  in  the  South,  259 — Defeat  of  General  Lincoln,  260 — 
General  P re vost  before  Charleston,  261 — Siege  of  Savannah,  262 — Achieve- 
ments of  Paul  Jones,  263. 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

CAMPAIGN  OF  1780. 

War  in  the  South,  p.  265 — Capitulation  of  Charleston,  266 — Condition 
of  South  Carolina,  267 — Treachery  of  the  British.  267 — Gates's  March  to 
the  South,  268 — Battle  of  Camden,  270 — Proceedings  of  Cornwallis,  273^— 
Battle  of  King's  Mountain,  273 — General  Gates  superseded,  274 — Dis- 
contents in  the  Army,  275 — The  Army  relieved  and  reinforced,  276 — 
—Arrival  of  the  French  Fleet,  276 — Arnold's  Treason,  277 — Capture  of 
Andre,  278 — Mutiny  in  the  American  Camp,  280 


CONTENTS.  1 1 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

CAMPAIGN    OP    1781. 

General  Greene  in  the  South,  p.  282 — Battle  of  Cowpens,  283— Morgan's 
Retreat,  284 — Greene's  Retreat,  285 — Battle  of  Guilford,  2S6 — Greeno 
marches  for  South  Carolina,  287 — Siege  of  Ninety-Six,  287  -Battle  of 
Eutaw  Springs,  289 — Affair  of  Colonel  Hayne,  289 — Comwallis  in  Virginia, 
290 — Arrival  of  the  French  Fleet,  292 — Preparations  for  the  Siege  of  New 
York,  292 — Washington  marches  South,  293 — Capture  of  Fort  Griswold, 
294 — Siege  of  Yorktown,  294 — Surrender  of  Comwallis,  297 — Its  Effects, 
298 — Lord  North  resigns,  299 — Treaty  of  Peace,  300 — Discontent  of  the 
Army,  301 — New  York  evacuated,  301 — Retirement  of  Washington,  302 — 
Character  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  304. 

CHAPTER  XXXH. 

FORMATION   OF    THE   FEDERAL    CONSTITUTION. 

State  of  the  Country,  p.  305 — Insurrections,  306 — Shay's  Rebellion,  307 
— Convention  at  Alexandria,  308 — Federal  Convention,  309 — Federal 
Constitution,  310 — Formation  of  Parties,  311 — Washington  elected  Presi- 
dent, 312. 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 
•WASHINGTON'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Washington  receives  notice  of  his  Election,  p.  312 — His  Journey  to  New 
York,  313 — Proceedings  of  the  first  Congress,  316 — Washington's  Tour 
through  New  England,  316 — Debts  of  the  States,  317 — Indian  War,  319 — 
Defeat  of  General  St.  Clair,  320 — Washington  re-elected  President,  321 — 
Citizen  Genet,  322 — Insurrection  in  Pennsylvania,  323 — Jay's  Treaty,  324 
—Pacific  Policy  of  Washington,  325 — Proceedings  of  the  French  Di- 
rectory, 326 — Washington's  Retirement,  327 — His  Character,  328. 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF    JOHN    ADAMS. 

Relations  with  France,  p.  330 — Intrigues  of  Talleyrand,  330 — Prepa- 
rations for  War  with  France,  331 — Death  of  Washington,  332 — Election 
of  Jefferson,  334. 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 
JEFFERSON'S  ADMINISTRATION. 

Effects  of  Peace  in  Europe,  p.  336 — Acquisition  of  Louisiana,  337 — War 
with  Tripoli,  338 — Burr's  Conspiracy,  340 — Depredations  on  American 
Commerce,  341 — Affair  of  the  Chesapeake,  342 — Berlin  and  Milan  Decrees, 
343 — Embargo,  344 — Retirement  of  Jefferson,  344. 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

COMMENCEMENT    OF    MADISON'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

Character  of  Madison,  p.  345 — Repeal  of  the  Embargo  Law,  346 — Mis- 
sions of  Erskine  and  Jackson,  346 — Affair  of  the  Little  Belt,  348 — Indian 
War — Battle  of  Tippecanoe,  349 — Henry's  Mission,  349 — War  declared, 
350 — Effects  of  the  Declaration  of  War,  350. 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

CAMPAIGN    OF    1812. 

Military  Force  of  the  Country,  p.  352 — The  Navy,  352 — General  Hull'g 
Expedition,  353 — Governor  Brock's  Proclamation,  354 — Surrender  of  Ge- 
neral Hull,  355 — General  Smyth's  Operations.  357 — Naval  Victories,  358. 


12  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

CAMPAIGN    OF    1813. 

Operations  on  the  North  Western  Frontier,  p.  361 — Siege  of  Fort  Melgs, 
362 — Capture  of  York,  363 — Attack  on  Sacketfs  Harbour,  364 — Operations 
on  the  Niagara  Frontier,  365-^— Expedition  against  Montreal,  366 — Battle  of 
Chrystler's  Fields,  366—British  Ravages  on  the  Sea-coast,  367 — Sacking 
of  Hampton,  368 — Affair  of  the  Hornet  and  Peacock,  369 — Defence  of 
Fort  Sandusky,  371 — Battle  on  Lake  Erie,  372 — Battle  of  the  Thames,  373 
—Creek  War,  374. 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

CAMPAIGN    OF    1814. 

Russian  Offer  of  Mediation,  p.  375 — Battle  of  Chippewa,  377 — Siege  of 
Fort  Erie,  378 — New  York  invaded,  379 — Battle  on  Lake  Champlain,  379 
—Flight  of  General  Prevost,  380 — Arrival  of  the  British  in  the  Chesapeake, 
383-;-Capture  of  Washington  City,  383 — Maryland  invaded,  384 — Battle  of 
Baltimore,  385 — Connecticut  and  Maine  invaded,  386 — Hartford  Conven- 
tion, 387 — The  British  expelled  from  Florida,  388 — Attack  on  New  Orleans, 
390 — Defeated,  392 — Peace  of  Ghent,  393 — United  States  Bank  Chartered, 
394. 

CHAPTER  XL. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF    JAMES    MONROE- 

Relations  with  Florida  and  Spain,  p.  394 — Amelia  Island  taken,  394 — 
Seminole  War,  395— Acquisition  of  Florida,  395— Admission  of  Missouri 
into  the  Union,  396 — La  Fayette's  Visit — Vote  of  Congress  respecting  his 
Services,  396. 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF   JOHN     O.UTWCT    ADAMS. 

Inaugural  Address,  397 — La  Fayetteat  Bunker's  Hill,  398 — Indian  Trea- 
ties, 398— Treaty  with  Denmark,  399 — Death  of  Jefferson  and  Adams,  399 
—The  Tariff,  399. 

CHAPTER  XLII. 

ADMINISTRATION    OF    ANDREW    JACKSON. 

Commercial  Treaty  with  Great  Britain,  400 — Indian  War,  401 — Tariff, 
402 — Nullification,  402 — Compromise  Bill,  403 — Bank  Question,  403 — 
French  War  threatened,  404— Florida  War,  404 — Public  Debt  extinguished, 
404. 

APPENDIX. 

Declaration  of  Independence,   -------  406 

Constitution  of  the  United  States,  -----  408 

Amendments  to  the  Constitution,       .-.-.-  414 

Population  of  the  American  Colonies,     -        -        -        -         -  416 

Expense  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  -         -        -         -         -  416 

Troops  employed  during  the  Revolution,        -        -        -        -  416 

Standing  Army  of  the  United  States  in  1836,       ...         -  417 

7     Navy  of  the  United  States  in  1836,          -         -         -         -         -  418 

Indian  Tribes  in  the  United  States,  .....  419 

Troops  furnished  by  the  respective  States,  from  1775  to  1783,  -  421 

Population  of  the  United  States,         -..--.  422 

Commerce  of  the  United  States,  .....  423 

Table  of  contemporary  Sovereigns,    ...        -        -  424 

Chronological  Table,  ......  426 

List  of  Authorities,  ......  432 


HISTORY 


or 


THE   UNITED   STATES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

DISCOVERY    OF    AMERICA. 

SEVERAL  of  the  European  nations  have  laid  claim  to  the 
discovery  of  America,  prior  to  the  expedition  of  Columbus. 
The  Welsh  historians  affirm  that  Madoc,  a  prince  of  their 
country,  embarked  from  his  native  land  as  early  as  1170, 
and,  sailing  westward,  discovered  those  regions  to  which 
the  name  of  America  was  afterwards  given.  But  this  claim 
rests  upon  remote  and  unfounded  traditions,  and  is,  there- 
fore, entitled  to  no  credit. 

Similar  pretensions  are  urged  in  favour  of  the  Norwegians 
and  Icelanders ;  but  a  careful  examination  of  all  the  authori- 
ties on  the  subject  has  led  recent  historians  to  the  conclusion 
that  the  discoveries  of  these  nations  extended  no  farther  than 
Greenland  ;  to  the  more  southern  portion  of  which  territory 
they  gave  the  name  of  Vinland. 

To  Christopher  Columbus,  therefore,  belongs  the  glory 
of  having  made  the  first  discovery  of  the  western  world. 
At  a  time  when  geographical  science  had  long  slept  in  Eu- 
rope, when  distant  voyages  were  rare,  and  discoverers  were 
few,  timid,  and  ignorant,  this  extraordinary  man  formed  the 
noble  design  of  crossing  the  Atlantic  Ocean  in  search  of  new 
regions.  His  opinion,  that  such  an  enterprise  would  be 
attended  with  success,  was  not  unsupported  by  plausible 
facts  and  reasonings.  Though,  in  the  fifteenth  century,  the 
information  of  geographers  was  incorrect  as  well  as  scanty, 
certain  observations  had  been  recorded  which  supported 


Who  have  laid  claim  to  the  discovery  I  Are  these  claims  well  founded  ? 
of  America  ?  I  Who  was  the  discoverer  ? 

2  a3 


14 


THE    PORTUGUESE    D1SCOVEK1E« 


his  theory.  From  the  form  of  the  earth's  shadow  on  the 
moon  in  an  eclipse  it  had  been  inferred  that  its  shape  was 
globular ;  and  tolerably  accurate  ideas  had  been  conceived 
of  its  magnitude.  It  was,  therefore,  apparent  that  Europe, 
Asia,  and  Africa  could  occupy  but  a  small  portion  of  its 
surface,  and  it  seemed  highly  improbable  that  the  remain- 
ing portion  was  one  vast  ocean.-  Travellers  in  the  east  had 
reported  that  Asia  extended  very  far  in  that  direction,  and 
the  rotundity  of  the  earth  being  known,  it  was  inferred  that 
the  East  Indies  might  be  reached  by  holding  a  course 
directly  west  from  Europe. 

These  reasonings  were  not  unsupported  by  striking  facts. 
Pieces  of  wood,  nicely  carved,  and  apparently  borne  from  a 
far  country,  had  been  thrown  on  the  western  coast  of  the 
Madeiras.  A  tree  of  an  unknown  species  had  been  taken 
out  of  the  ocean  near  the  Azores ;  and  the  bodies  of  two 
men,  of  strange  colour  and  unusual  appearance,  had  been 
found  upon  the  coast. 

From  these  circumstances  Columbus  inferred  the  exist 
ence  of  the  regions  which  he  afterwards  discovered,  and  the 
possibility  of  reaching  them  by  sailing  to  the  west. 

At  this  period  the  favourite  object  of  discovery  was  a 
passage  to  the  East  Indies  by  sea.  The  Venetians  had,  by 
their  advantageous  position,  and  their  great  commercial  ac- 
tivity, hitherto  engrossed  the  profitable  trade  of  that  coun- 
try ;  and  thus  excited  the  envy  and  jealousy  of  the  other 
nations  of  Europe.  Their  communication  with  the  East 
Indies  was  principally  over  land.  Others  were  attempting 
a  passage  by  sea.  From  the  commencement  of  the  fif- 
teenth century,  the  Portuguese  had  been  extending  their 
discoveries  along  the  western  coast  of  Africa  towards  the 
south,  and  had  nearly  doubled  -the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 
They  were  destined  soon  to  attain  this  grand  object,  and 
establish  a  lucrative  trade  in  the  rare  productions  of  the 
East. 

To  find  a  shorter  and  more  direct  route  to  India  was  the 
Immediate  object  of  Columbus  in  proposing  to  undertake  a 
voyage  of  discovery.  The  rich  returns  of  oriental  com- 
merce formed  the  chief  inducement  which  he  urged  upon 
those  sovereigns,  to  whom  he  submitted  his  project,  with  a 
view  to  gain  their  support  and  patronage. 


What  led  him  to  the  undertaking  ? 
What  facts  supported  his  opinions  ? 
What  was  the  grand  object  of  disco- 
very in  Columbus's  time  ? 


What  is  said  of  the  Venetians  ? 
The  Portuguese  ? 

What  was  Columbus's  immediate  ob- 
ject ?  » 


COLUMBtJS    IN    SPAIN. 


15 


He  first  applied  to  the  government  of  Genoa,  his  native 
country  ;  but  here  his  offer  was  rejected,  probably  in  conse- 
quence of  the  decline  of  commercial  enterprise  among  the 
Genoese.  He  then  made  application  to  King  John  II,  of 
Portugal,  a  monarch  who  had  liberally  encouraged  voyages 
of  discovery.  Here  he  met  with  no  better  success  ;  for  the 
king,  having  referred  the '  matter  to  his  counsellors,  was  by 
them  discouraged  from  lending  his  support  to  a  project  which 
they  represented  as  extravagant  and  visionary.  This  wise 
opinion  did  not,  however,  prevent  the  Portuguese  govern- 
ment from  secretly  fitting  out  an  expedition,  which  was 
intended  to  deprive  Columbus  of  the  glory  of  his  discovery. 
The  return  of  this  expedition,  without  success,  having  ap- 
prized Columbus  of  the  treachery  designed  against  him,  he 
left  the  country  in  disgust.  It  was  about  this  period  that 
he  despatched  his  brother,  Bartholomew  Columbus,  to  Eng- 
land, for  the  purpose  of  gaining  the  patronage  of  Henry 
VII  in  support  of  his  project.  The  voyage,  however,  was 
attended  with  so  much  delay,  that  that  sovereign  was  not 
enabled  to  complete  his  arrangements,  and  make  known  his 
favourable  disposition  to  Christopher  Columbus,  until  the 
discovery  had  actually  been  effected. 

Disappointed  in  his  applications  to  other  courts,  Colum- 
bus, in  1486,  applied  to  that  of  Spain.  The  sovereigns  of 
this  country,  Ferdinand  and  Isabella,  were  at  that  time  en- 
gaged in  expelling  the  Moors  from  Granada,  their  last  strong- 
hold on  the  peninsula ;  and  it  was  not  until  the  war  was 
terminated  that  Columbus  was  enabled  to  obtain  a  favoura- 
ble hearing.  He  had  been  for  upwards  of  six  years  urging 
his  suit  without  success,  and  was  about  quitting  the  country 
for  England,  when,  by  order  of  Isabella,  he  was  desired  to 
relinquish  his  intention  of  applying  to  other  courts,  and 
invited  into  her  presence,  with  distinguished  marks  of  con- 
descension and  respect. 

'  The  character  and  disposition  of  Columbus,'  observes  a 
recent  writer,*  '  were  such  as  highly  recommended  him  to 
the  rulers  of  Spain.  To  that  quickness  and  decision  which 
are  the  usual  indications  of  genius,  he  added  that  solemnity 


To  whom  did  he  first  apply  ? 
With  what  success  ? 
To  whom  next  ? 

Of  what  treachery  were  the  Portu- 
guese guilty  ? 
Who  was  sent  to  England  ? 


What  was  his  success  ? 
To  whom  did  Columbus  next  apply  ? 
What  was  the  result  ? 
What  were  Columbus's  character  av 
deportment  ? 


*  In  the  Edinburgh  Encyclopedia. 


16  COLUMBUS    IN    SPAIN. 

of  aspect,  and  gravity  of  manners,  which  the  Spanish  cul- 
tivate with  so  much  care,  and  which  serve  to  distinguish 
them  from  the  other  nations  of  Europe.  His  appearance 
was  dignified,  and  his  behaviour  respectful ;  he  was  reso- 
lute in  his  purposes,  and  firm  in  his  demands.' 

At  his  interview  with  Isabella,  he  relaxed  in  nothing  of 
what  he  had  originally  proposed :  the  conditions  on  which 
he  declared  himself  willing  to  undertake  the  expeditiop 
were  still  the  same  : — '  that  he  should  be  appointed  admiral 
of  all  the  seas  which  he  might  explore,  and  governor  of  alt' 
the  continents  and  islands  which  lie  might  visit ;  that  these 
offices  should  be  hereditary  in  his  family ;  and  that  the  tenth 
of  every  thing  bought,  bartered,  found,  or  got,  within  the 
bounds  of  his  admiralship,  abating  only  the  charge  of  the 
conquest,  should  be  settled  upon  him,  and  should  descend 
to  his  heirs  in  case  of  his  death.' 

He  desired  that  a  small  fleet  should  be  equipped,  and  put 
under  his  command,  for  the  proposed  discovery ;  and,  to 
show  his  own  confidence  in  the  undertaking,  he  offered  to 
advance  an  eighth  part  of  the  money  which  would  be  neces- 
sary for  building  the  ships,  provided  he  should  be  allowed 
a  proportionate  share  of  the  profits  resulting  from  the  enter- 
prise. 

Juan  Perez,  guardian  of  the  monastery  of  La  Rabida, 
near  the  town  of  Palos,  one  of  the  earliest  friends  of  Co- 
lumbus in  Spain,  had  obtained  for  him  the  honour  of  an 
interview  with  Isabella.  Perez  was  the  queen's  confessor, 
and  an  ecclesiastic  of  great  influence  and  respectability. 
By  his  representations,  together  with  those  of  Alonzo  de 
Quintanilla  and  Luis  de  St.  Angel,  officers  of  distinction 
under  the  Spanish  crown,  a  favourable  hearing  was  granted 
to  the  propositions  of  Columbus.  They  stated  to  the  queen 
that  he  was  a  man  of  commanding  talents  and  high  integrity, 
well  informed  in  geography,  and  skilled  in  navigation ; 
they  spoke  to  her  of  the  glory  which  would  result  from  the 
enterprise,  and  which  would  for  ever  attach  to  her  reign ; 
and  of  the  extension  of  the  Christian  religion,  which  would 
be  disseminated  in  the  countries  to  be  discovered. 

These  representations  of   Quintanilla  and  St.  Angel,  and 

the  favourable  state  of  the  kingdom,  just  freed  from  the  last 

-remnant  of  the  Moorish  invaders,  afforded  prevailing  motives 

with  the  queen  for  engaging  Columbus  in  her  service  on  his 

own  terms.     A  fleet  was  ordered  to  be  fitted  out  from  the 

What  terms  did  he  offer  to  the  queen  ?  I  What  was  their  success  ? 
Who  were  his  friends  at  court >  Describe  Columbus 's  outfit. 


COLUMBIA'S  OUTFIT.  17 

port  of  Palos.  It  consisted  of  three  vessels  of  inconsiderable 
size,  such  as  would  by  no  means  be  deemed  suitable  for  a 
voyage  across  the  Atlantic  at  the  present  day.  They  were 
victualled  for  twelve  months,  and  had  on  board  ninety  mari- 
ners, with  several  private  adventurers  and  servants  ;  amount- 
ing in  all  to  one  hundred  and  twenty  persons.  The  whole 
expense  of  the  expedition  was  but  about  twenty  thousand  dol- 
lars. But  even  this  Was  considered  by  the  statesmen  of  the 
time  too  great  an  expenditure  for  so  uncertain  an  enterprise. 

When  the  squadron  was  ready  for  sailing,  Columbus, 
with  his  officers  and  crew,  went  in  solemn  procession  to  the 
monastery  of  La  Rabida,  and  after  confessing  their  sins  and 
partaking  of  the  communion,  they  committed  themselves  to 
the  protection  of  Heaven,  and  took  leave  of  their  friends, 
whom  they  left  full  of  gloomy  apprehensions  with  respect 
to  their  perilous  undertaking. 

It  was  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  August,  1492,  that 
Columbus  set  sail  from  the  harbour  of  Palos,  in  the  Santa 
Maria,  the  largest  vessel  of  his  squadron.  The  others  were 
called  the  Pinta  and  the  Nina :  the  former  commanded  by 
Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon,  and  the  latter  by  Vincent  Yanez  Pin- 
zon,  his  brother.  On  the  6th  of  August  they  came  in  sight 
of  the  Canaries.  Among  these  islands  they  were  detained 
more  than  three  weeks,  endeavouring  to  procure  another 
vessel  to  supply  the  place  of  the  Pinta,  which  had  suffered 
some  injury  in  her  rudder.  The  Pinta  was  finally  repaired, 
and  on  the  6th  of  September,  Columbus  set  sail  from  Go- 
mera,  one  of  the  Canaries,  and  began  his  voyage  on  the 
unknown  deep. 

On  the  13th  of  September,  the  squadron  was  distant  nearly 
200  leagues  from  the  most  westerly  of  the  Canaries.  Here 
the  magnetic  needle  was  observed  to  vary  from  its  direction 
towards  the  polar  star,  a  phenomenon  which  had  not  before 
been  observed ;  and  which,  of  course,  filled  the  mariners 
with  alarm,  since  it  appeared  to  withdraw  from  them  their 
only  guide  upon  the  pathless  ocean.  Columbus  was  by  no 
means  disheartened  by  this  appearance.  He  invented  •' 
plausible  reason  for  it;  and  succeeded  in  reconciling  hi.; 
crew  to  their  further  progress.  Their  discontent,  howeve.r. 
speedily  broke  forth  anew,  and  all  the  self-possession  an  I 


How  did  Columbus  prepare  for  em- 
barking ? 

Where  was  he  detained  ? 
Wheie  was  he  on  the  13th  of  Septem- 


ber ? 

2* 


What  alarmed  the  crew  ? 

How  were  they  reconciler1  to    !/"{' 


further  progress  ? 
hat  followed  ? 


18 


COLUMBUS    AT    SAN    SALV 


address  of  the  admiral  were  scarcely  sufficient  to  preserve 
his  ascendency  and  ensure  the  completion  of  his  voyage. 

When  their  patience  was  nearly  exhausted,  the  signs  of 
land  began  to  appear.  The  water  had  become  more  shallow  ; 
flocks  of  strange  birds  were  observed ;  a  curiously  wrought 
staff  was  taken  up  by  the  men  of  the  Pinta  ;  and  weeds  were 
seen  floating  in  the  water,  of  a  kind  different  from  any  which 
were  known  to  the  voyagers.  During  the  night  of  the  llth 
of  October,  a  light  was  observed  by  Columbus  himself,  at  a 
distance,  moving  as  if  carried  by  some  fisherman  or  traveller. 

This  last  appearance  was  considered  by  him  as  decisive 
evidence  of  land ;  and,  moreover,  that  the  land  was  inha- 
bited. They  continued  their  course  till  two  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  when  a  gun  from  the  Pinta  gave  the  signal  that 
land  was  in  sight.  It  proved  to  be  one  of  the  Bahama 
islands. 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th  of  October,  Columbus,  richly 
attired  in  scarlet,  and  bearing  the  royal  standard,  entered  his 
own  boat,  accompanied  by  the  other  commanders  in  their 
boats,  and  landing  on  the  island  took  possession  of  it  OR 
behalf  of  the  Castilian  sovereigns,  giving  it  the  name  of  Sap 
Salvador. 

The  landing  was  accompanied  with  every  demonstration 
of  joy  and  gratitude  to  Heaven.  The  admiral  and  his  fol- 
lowers knelt  on  the  shore,  and  kissed  the  ground,  with 
tears  and  thanksgiving.  The  natives,  who  had  assembled 
in  great  numbers  on  the  first  appearance  of  the  ships,  were 
struck  speechless  with  astonishment.  They  stood  around 
the  Spaniards,  unable  to  comprehend  the  import  of  those 
ceremonies  with  which  the  newly  discovered  land  was 
claimed  by  these  formidable  visiters.  They  considered 
them  as  beings  of  a  superior  order,  children  of  the  sun,  de- 
scended from  heaven  to  dwell  among  the  inhabitants  of  the 
earth ;  little  imagining  that  they  were  speedily  to  extermi- 
nate the  peaceful  nations  who  then  possessed  the  western 
Archipelago. 

The  island  was  called,  by  the  inhabitants,  Guanahani. 
It  is  one  of  the  Bahama  group,  and  is  distant  about  3000 
miles  from  the  most  westerly  of  the  Canaries.  Columbus 
afterwards  discovered  and  touched  at  other  islands  in  the 


What  signs  of  land  appeared  ? 
Who  first  saw  the  light  ? 
When  ? 

When  did  Columbus  land  in  the  New 
World  ? 


What  is  said  of  the  natives  ? 
What  was  the  island  called  ? 
Where  is  it  ? 

What  other  discoveries  did  Columbus 
make  on  his  first  voyage  ? 


VESPUCCI. 


19 


Landing  of  Columbus. 


same  group,  and  also  added  the  extensive  islands  of  Cuba 
and  Hispaniola  to  the  possessions  of  the  Spanish  sove- 
reigns, before  completing  his  first  voyage.  All  these  newly 
discovered  lands  he  supposed,  conformably  to  the  theory 
which  he  had  adopted,  to  be  at  no  great  distance  from  In- 
dia ;  and  as  they  had  been  reached  by  a  western  passage, 
they  were  called  the  West  Indies.  Even  when  the  in- 
crease of  geographical  science  had  discovered  the  error,  the 
name  was  retained,  and  it  is  continued  to  the  present  day. 

Columbus's  return  to  Spain  was  hailed  with  acclamations 
of  joy.  His  journey  from  Palos  to  Barcelona,  where  he 
was  to  meet  the  sovereigns,  was  a  perfect  triumph,  and  his 
reception  by  Ferdinand  and  Isabella  was  attended  with 
marks  of  favour  and  condescension  proportioned  to  the 
magnitude  and  importance  of  his  services. 

Columbus  afterwards  undertook  several  voyages  to  the 
New  World,  planted  colonies,  and  built  cities  and  forts. 
In  his  third  voyage,  he  visited  the  continent  of  America, 
landed  at  different  places  on  the  coasts  of  Paria  and  Cumana. 
But  his  discovery  of  the  continent  had  been  anticipated  by 
an  English  voyager,  Cabot,  as  will  hereafter  be  related. 

Amerigo  Vespucci,  a  Florentine  gentleman,  who  had 
sailed  with  Columbus,  visited  the  continent  some  years 
afterwards ;  and  published  an  account  of  his  expedition,  so 
plausibly  written  as  to  lead  his  contemporaries  to  the  sup- 
position that  he  was  the  real  discoverer.  The  continent,  in 
consequence,  received  the  appellation  of  America ;  at  what 


What  is  the  origin  of  the  name  West 
Indies  ? 


How    was    Columbus 
Spain? 


received    in 


What  was  done  by  Columbus  in  his 

subsequent  voyages  ? 
Who  first  discovered  the  continent  ot 

America  ? 
What  is  said  of  Vespucci  ? 


20 


NORTH    AMERICA    DISCOVERED    AND    SETTLED. 


period  is  not  well  ascertained.  Although  we  cannot  but 
regret  the  injustice  of  this  proceeding,  which  deprives  Co- 
lumbus of  an  honour  so  nobly  earned,  yet  the  consent  of 
all  nations  has  given  the  name  a  sanction,  which  it  were 
vain  to  dispute  or  disregard. 

It  was  the  lot  of  Columbus  to  receive  injustice  and  neg- 
lect in  return  for  the  greatest  benefits.  He  was  deprived 
of  the  rewards  and  honours  promised  him  by  Ferdinand 
and  Isabella,  superseded  in  the  government  of  the  colony 
which  he  had  founded,  and  sent  home  in  chains  from  the 
New  World  which  he  had  '  found  for  Castile  and  Leon ;' 
and,  after  having  attracted  the  admiration  and  applause  of 
the  whole  civilized  world  by  the  brilliancy  of  his  achieve- 
ments, he  was  suffered  to  die  in  comparative  poverty  and 
neglect 


CHAPTER  II. 


NORTH    AMERICA    DISCOVERED    AND    SETTLED. 

ALTHOUGH  Columbus  discovered  the  New  World,  he  was 
not  the  first  navigator  who  reached  the  American  continent. 
This  was  the  achievement  of  John  Cabot  and  his  son  Se- 
bastian ;  who  conducted  an  expedition  of  five  ships,  under 
a  commission  from  Henry  VII,  of  England,  to  search  foi 
unknown  islands  and  countries,  and  take  possession  of  them 
in  the  king's  name.  The  expedition  was  fitted  out  from 
Bristol,  in  England,  and  reached  the  American  continent, 
probably  in  56  degrees  of  north  latitude,  on  the  coast  of 
Labrador,  June  14th,  1497,  nearly  fourteen  months  before 
Columbus,  on  his  third  voyage,  came  in  sight  of  the  main  land. 

If  the  right  of  discovery  be  valid,  a  point  which  it  is 
hardly  worth  while  to  discuss  here,  England  had  certainly 
the  best  right  of  any  of  the  nations  of  Europe  to  plant 
colonies  in  North  America.  Her  claim,  however,  was 
warmly  disputed  by  Spain,  Portugal  and  France. 

The  Cabots  made  another  voyage  to  North  America  in 
1498,  and  explored  the  coast  as  far  south  as  Maryland ; 


How  was  Columbus  treated  by  the 

sovereigns  of  Spain  ? 
What  is  said  of  the  Cabots  ? 
When  did  they  discover  the  conti- 
ent  of  America  ? 


What  nations  disputed  the  claim  of 
England  to  the  discovery  of  North 
America  ? 

What  was  done  by  the  Cabots  i* 
1498  ? 


THE    FRENCH    IN    NORTH    AMERICA. 


Cabot  describing  his  discovery  to  Henry  VII. 


and  Sebastian  Cabot,  who,  on  account  of  his  nautical  skill 
and  enterprise,  was  called  the  Great  Seaman,  sailed,  in 
1517,  up  the  straits  and  bay  which  afterwards  received  the 
name  of  Hudson,  until  he  reached  the  latitude  of  sixty-seven 
and  a  half  degrees,  expecting  to  find  a  north-west  passage  to 
India.  A  mutiny  of  his  crew  compelled  him  to  return. 

The  Portuguese,  who  at  this  period  were  very  active  in 
prosecuting  distant  voyages  of  discovery,  fitted  out  an  ex- 
pedition under  Caspar  Cortereal.  He  explored  the  coast 
for  600  miles,  as  far  to  the  north  as  the  50th  degree,  and 
brought  off  upwards  of  50  Indians,  whom  he  sold  as  slaves 
on  his  return.  (1501.) 

The  French  were  among  the  early  voyagers  to  North 
America.  The  banks  of  Newfoundland  were  visited  by 
their  fishermen  as  early  as  1504,  and  in  1523  John  Verra- 
zani,  a  Florentine,  was  sent  on  a  voyage  of  discovery  by 
Francis  I.  He  explored  the  American  coast  from  North 
Carolina  to  Nova  Scotia,  and  held  friendly  intercourse  with 
the  natives.  The  French  claims  to  their  American  territo- 
ries were  founded  upon  his  discoveries. 

Another  expedition,  under  James  Cartier,  was  fitted  out 
in  1534,  and  the  gulf  and  river  of  St.  Lawrence  were  visited, 
many  of  the  harbours  and  islands  explored,  and  the  country 
declared  a  French  territory.  The  next  year,  Cartier  sailed 
up  the  St.  Lawrence  again,  and  discovered  and  named  the 
island  of  Montreal.  He  passed  the  winter  in  Canada,  and  in 
the  spring  erected  a  cross  with  a  shield  upon  it,  bearing  the 
arms  of  France,  and  an  inscription  declaring  Francis  I  to  be 


By  Sebastian  in  1517  ? 

What  was  done  by  the  Portuguese  ? 

When  ? 


By  the  French  ? 
When? 


22         THE  FRENCH  IN  ACAUIA  AND  CANADA. 

the  sovereign  of  the  territory  ;  to  which  he  gave  the  name  oi 
New  France. 

In  1540,  Francis  de  la  Roque,  Lord  of  Roberval,  obtained 
from  Francis  I  a  commission  to  plant  a  colony  in  America, 
giving  him  a  viceroy's  authority  over  the  territories  and  islands 
on  the  gulf  and  river  St.  Lawrence.  Cartier  was,  at  the  same 
time,  commissioned  as  captain  general  and  chief  pilot  of  the 
expedition,  with  authority  to  raise  recruits  for  the  colony  from 
the  prisons  of  France,  a  circumstance  by  no  means  favourable 
to  the  permanence  of  the  proposed  settlement.  These  lead- 
ers were  rather  too  independent  of  each  other.  They  did 
not  even  depart  from  Europe  in  company.  Cartier  left  France 
in  May,  1541,  sailed  up  the  St.  Lawrence,  built  a  fort  near 
where  Quebec  was  subsequently  founded,  passed  the  winter 
there,  and  returned  in  June,  1542.  About  the  time  of  his 
return,  Roberval,  with  a  colony,  arrived  in  Canada,  or  No- 
rimbega,  as  it  was  then  sometimes  termed,  remained  till  the 
next  year,  and  then  abandoned  his  vice-royalty  and  returned 
home.  He  afterward  sailed  again  for  Canada,  but  is  sup- 
posed to  have  perished  on  the  sea. 

The  civil  wars  of  France  prevented  any  further  attempts 
at  colonization  in  America  till  1598,  when  the  Marquis  de 
la  Roche,  a  nobleman  of  Brittany,  formed  a  temporary  set- 
tlement on  the  isle  of  Sable.  His  colony  had  been  peopled 
by  sweeping  the  prisons  of  France ;  and  it  was  of  very  short 
duration. 

In  1603,  an  expedition  was  fitted  out  by  a  company  of 
merchants  of  Rouen,  and  placed  under  the  command  of 
Samuel  Champlain,  an  able  and  enterprising  officer,  who 
'  became  the  father  of  the  French  settlements  in  Canada.'* 
On  his  first  expedition,  he  made  considerable  geographical 
researches,  observed  carefully  the  nature  of  the  climate  and 
soil,  and  the  character  of  the  natives  ;  and  selected  the  posi- 
tion of  the  future  capital  of  the  province. 
'  After  he  returned  to  France,  a  charter  was  granted  to  De 
Monts  to  settle  Acadia,  under  which  name  was  included  all 
the  country  from  the  40th  to  the  46th  degree  of  north  latitude. 
His  expedition  left  France  in  1604  in  two  ships  ;  and,  after 
their  arrival  in  Nova  Scotia,  Poutrincourt,  one  of  the  leaders 
who  accompanied  De  Monts,  made  choice  of  the  spot  where 


Describe  Roberval  and  Cartier's  ex- 
peditions.    De  la  Roche's. 
What  is  said  of  Champlain  ? 


His  first  expedition  ? 

De  Monts  ? 

What  was  included  in  Acadia  ? 


Bancroft. 


THE    SPANIARDS    IN    FLORIDA.  23 

Annapolis  now  stands  as  the  site  of  a  settlement,  to  which  he 
gave  the  name  of  Port  Royal.  De  Monts  settled  on  the  island 
of  St.  Croix,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  of  the  same  name, 
but  afterward  abandoned  this  situation  and  removed  to  Port 
Royal,  which  was  the  first  permanent  French  settlement 
made  in  North  America.  (1605.)  Three  years  afterwards 
(1608)  Champlain,  acting  in  the  service  of  a  private  company 
of  merchants,  occupied  the  site  of  the  city  of  Quebec  by 
raising  some  cottages  and  clearing  a  few  acres  of  land.  He 
afterwards  took  a  part  in  the  Indian  wars,  sailed  up  the  river 
Sorel,  and  explored  the  lake  which  now  bears  his  name.  To 
his  enterprise  and  courage  the  French  were  indebted  for  their 
colonies  in  this  country.* 


CHAPTER  III. 


THE    SPANIARDS    TAKE    POSSESSION    OF    FLORIDA. 

As  the  Spaniards  had  been  the  first  nation  to  attempt  the 
discovery  of  the  New  World,  so  they  were  the  most  enter- 
prising and  adventurous  in  their  endeavours  to  conquer  and 
colonize  its  extensive  and  fertile  countries.  The  history  of 
their  warlike  achievements  in  Mexico  and  Peru  presents  ex- 
amples of  the  most  heroic  bravery  and  perseverance,  dark- 
ened by  many  shadows  of  avarice  and  injustice.  The  whole 
nation  seems  to  have  been  fired  with  the  spirit  of  foreign 
adventure,  and  the  New  World  was  the  grand  theatre  for  its 
display. 

Previous  to  the  expeditions  of  Cortes  and  Pizarro,  Florida 
had  been  discovered  by  Juan  Ponce  de  Leon.  This  adven- 
turer had  accompanied  Columbus  in  his  second  voyage  ;  and 
afterwards  had  been  successively  appointed  governor  of  the 
eastern  province  of  Hispaniola,  and  of  Porto  Rico.  When 
he  had  been  displaced  from  the  government  of  the  latter 
island,  in  consequence  of  the  paramount  claims  of  Colum- 
bus's  family,  he  fitted  out  an  expedition  with  the  romantic 


Where  was  the  first  permanent 
French  settlement  in  North  Ame- 
rica made  '  When  ?  By  whom  ? 

When  was  Quebec  settled  ? 

Who  were  the  earliest  European  set- 
tlers in  the  New  World  ? 


Who  was  Juan  Ponce  de  Leon  ? 
Where  had  he  served  ? 
Under  what  leader  ? 
For  what  purpose  did  he  fit  out  at 
expedition  f 


*  Bancroft. 


24  DISCOVERY    OF    FLORIDA. 

design  of  searching  for  a  country  in  which,  according  to  inform- 
ation received  from  the  Caribs,  there  was  a  fountain  whose 
waters  imparted  to  those  who  bathed  in  them  the  gift  of  per- 
petual youth.  Having  sailed  about  among  the  Bahamas  and 
touched  at  several  of  them,  in  pursuit  of  this  fairy  land,  he  at 
length,  (March  27,  1512,)  came  in  sight  of  the  continent. 
As  this  discovery  was  made  on  Easter  Sunday,  which  the 
Spaniards  call  Pascua  Florida,  the  land  was  called  Florida. 
Its  verdant  forests  and  magnificent  flowering  aloes  may  have 
afforded  another  reason  for  assigning  it  this  name. 

It  was  not  till  the  8th  of  April  that  he  was  able  to  effect  a 
landing  in  the  latitude  of  thirty  degrees  and  eight  minutes,  a 
little  to  the  north  of  St.  Augustine.  He  claimed  the  territory 
for  Spain,  remained  some  weeks  exploring  the  coast,  and 
then  returned  to  Porto  Rico,  leaving  a  part  of  his  company 
in  the  newly  discovered  country. 

The  King  of  Spain  rewarded  him  with  the  government  of 
Florida,  on  condition  that  he  should  conquer  and  colonise  it. 
This  he  attempted  in  1521,  but  was  resisted  with  great  fury 
by  the  Indians,  who  killed  many  of  his  followers,  drove  the 
survivors  to  their  ships,  and  compelled  him  to  relinquish  the 
enterprise.  Ponce  de  Leon  himself  was  wounded  with  an 
arrow,  and  died  shortly  after  his  return  to  Cuba. 

In  1510,  the  southern  coast  of  the  United  States  was  par- 
tially explored  by  Grijalva;  and  in  1520,  Lucas  Vasques  de 
Ayllon  fitted  out  two  slave  ships,  from  St.  Domingo,  visited 
the  coast  of  South  Carolina,  then  called  Chicora,  discovered 
the  Combahee  river,  to  which  the  name  of  the  Jordan  was 
given;  and  finally,  having  decoyed  a  large  number  of  the 
Indians  on  board  his  ships,  set  sail  with  them  for  St.  Do- 
mingo, leaving  behind  the  most  determined  purpose  of 
revenge  among  the  injured  natives. 

His  sovereign  rewarded  this  atrocious  enterprise  by  ap- 
pointing Ayllon  to  the.  conquest  of  Chicora.  In  attempting 
this,  he  lost  one  of  his  ships  and  a  great  number  of  his  men ; 
who  were  killed  by  the  natives  in  revenge  for  former  wrongs. 
He  was  finally  compelled  to  relinquish  his  undertaking. 

In  1526,  Pamphilo  de  Narvaez,  the  same  officer  who  had 


What  country  did  he  discover  ? 

What  was  the  origin  of  its  name  ? 

When  did  he  land  ? 

For  whom  did  he  claim  the  country  ? 

On  what  condition  was  he  made  gover- 
nor ? 

What  prevented  his  retaining  the 
country  r 


What  was  his  fate  ? 
What  was  done  by  Grijalva  ?   When  ? 
By  Ayllon  ?    When  ? 
How  was  he  rewarded  ? 
What  was  his  success  ? 
What  was  attempted  by  Narvaez  f 
When? 


FERDINAND    DE    SOTO.  25 


Ponce  de  Leon  repulsed  by  the  Indians. 

been  sent  by  Velasquez  to  supersede  Cortes  in  Mexico, 
attempted  the  conquest  of  Florida.  This  expedition  was 
signally  disastrous.  The  Spaniards  landed  near  Appalachee 
bay,  marched  into  the  interior,  and  spent  six  months,  in 
various  hardships  and  conflicts  with  the  Indians,  and  at  last 
found  their  way  back  to  the  sea  shore,  somewhere  near  the 
bay  of  Pensacola.  Here  they  fitted  out  boats,  and  embark- 
ing were  shipwrecked  near  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi. 
Only  four  or  five  out  of  three  hundred  reached  Mexico  to 
tell  the  story  of  their  disasters.  These  men  gave  such 
flattering  accounts  of  the  riches  of  the  country,  that  their 
sufferings  by  no  means  deterred  others  from  attempting  its 
subjugation. 

The  next  Spanish  adventurer  on  the  shores  of  the  United 
States  was  Ferdinand  de  Soto,  a  highly  distinguished  officer, 
who  had  shared  the  glory  and  wealth  obtained  by  Pizarro  in 
the  conquest  of  Peru.  Returning  to  Spain  after  the  most 
orilliant  succepa  in  that  country,  he  demanded  of  Charles  V 
o  conquer  Florida  at  his  own  cost ;  and  received  from  that 
nonarch  ?  commission  for  that  purpose,  together  with  the 
jovernrr.ent  ci  Cuba.  (1537.) 

Multitudes  of  adventurers  flocked  to  his  standard.  Ex- 
pectation had  been  raised  to  the  greatest  height  by  the 
exaggerated  accounts  of  the  wealth  of  Florida ;  and  men  of 
all  classed  aold  their  possessions  in  Spain  to  fit  themselves 
out  for  a  conquest  which  promised  to  outshine  those  of 
Mexico  and  Peru,  in  the  brilliancy  of  its  results. 


Describe  his  expedition. 

How  many  of  his  300  men  survived  ? 

Who  was  Ferdinand  de  Soto  ? 


3 


Under  whom  had  he  served  ? 

In  what  country  ? 

What  did  he  offer  to  Charlei  Vf 


26 


SOTO'S    EXPEDITION. 


Soto  selected  six  hundred  of  the  choicest  men  for  his 
companions,  and  sailed  to  Cuba.  (1538.)  Here  he  was 
joined  by  other  adventurers,  and  having  completed  his  pre- 
parations, he  embarked  for  Florida  in  May,  1539.  Having 
arrived  in  the  bay  of  Spiritu  Santo,  he  sent  back  most  of  his 
ships  to  Havanna,  and  commenced  his  march  into  the  interior 
— a  march  which  has  no  parallel  in  the  history  of  adventure. 
Fired  by  the  example  of  their  countrymen  in  the  more 
southern  regions,  the  Spaniards  advanced  as  if  to  certain 
conquest  and  wealth.  They  were  abundantly  supplied  with 
provisions  and  munitions  of  war,  horses  for  the  cavalry,  and 
blood  hounds  for  hunting  the  natives;  and  their  numbers 
exceeded  those  of  the  armies  which  had  conquered  Mexico 
nnd  Peru.  But  they  were  destined  for  a  far  different  fate. 
Their  grand  error,  the  pursuit  of  gold,  was  the  source  of 
endless  disasters  and  sufferings. 

The  Indians,  who  were  determined  in  their  hostility  to 
the  invaders,  had  recourse  to  stratagem,  as  well  as  force,  in 
order  to  get  rid  of  them.  They  continually  deceived  the 
Spaniards  by  representing  to  them  that,  by  continuing  their 
march  into  the  interior,  they  would  at  last  arrive  at  a  region 
abounding  with  gold — and  deluded,  again  and  again,  by  this 
plausible  story,  Soto  passed  onward  from  tribe  to  tribe,  and 
from  river  to  river,  until  his  splendid  and  well  appointed 
army  had  melted  away  to  a  mere  handful  of  men,  worn  out 
with  sufferings,  and  destitute  of  the  means  of  subsistence  or 
defence. 

Setting  out  from  the  bay  of  Spiritu  Santo  in  June,  1539, 
they  spent  the  time  in  wandering  through  forests  and 
morasses,  until  October,  when  they  found  themselves  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Appalachee  bay. — The  men  were  dis- 
pirited ;  and  desired  to  return  home ;  but  Soto  would  not 
hear  of  such  a  measure ;  he  sent  to  Cuba  for  supplies  for 
the  next  year's  expedition. 

In  March,  1540,  deluded  by  the  promise  of  an  Indian  guide 
to  conduct  him  to  a  country  where  gold  was  abundant,  Soto 
set  forth  again  and  marched  towards  the  north-east,  till  they 
reached  the  Ogechee,  and  then  through  the  country  of  the 
Cherokees,  now  a  part  of  the  gold  region  ;  but  without  dis- 
covering any  of  the  precious  metal.  From  Georgia  the 


How  many  adventurers  accompanied 

him  > 

When  did  he  sail  ? 
Where  did  he  land  ? 
Describe  his  army. 


What  was  his  error  ? 
When  did  his  march  begin  ? 
Where  were  the  Spaniards  in  October .' 
Whither  did  they  march  in  the  suc- 
ceeding spring  ? 


SOTO    IN    MISSOURI. 


27 


Spaniards  passed  into  Alabama,  and  in  October  fought  a 
severe  battle  with  the  Indians,  at  a  town  which  was  then 
called  Mavilla  or  Mobile,  on  the  Alabama,  above  the  junction 
of  the  Tombecbee.  In  this  engagement  2500  Indians  are 
said  to  have  fallen.  The  town  was  burned.  The  Spaniards 
had  18  killed  and  150  wounded,  and  lost  a  part  of  their 
horses  and  all  their  baggage,  which  was  burned  in  the  town. 

Having  received  supplies  from  Cuba,  Soto  now  marched 
towards  the  north  and  west.  In  December,  1540,  he  had 
reached  the  upper  part  of  the  Mississippi,  where  he  wintered 
in  a  deserted  town  of  the  Chickasaws.  In  the  spring  he 
demanded  of  them  250  men,  to  carry  the  baggage  of  the 
soldiers.  The  Indians,  instead  of  complying  with  this 
unwarrantable  requisition,  set  fire  to  the  town  in  which  the 
Spaniards  were  encamped,  in  the  night,  and  attacked  them 
with  great  fury.  The  loss  of  men  in  this  encounter  was 
trifling,  but  the  Spaniards  suffered  severely  from  the  destruc- 
tion of  their  clothing,  their  arms,  and  a  part  of  their  horses. 
The  Indians  knew  not  how  to  follow  up  their  first  advantage, 
and  the  invaders  were  soon  in  a  condition  to  continue  their 
progress  to  the  west. 

In  April,  1541,  Soto  discovered  the  Mississippi,  being 
the  first  European  who  visited  that  river.  In  June  he  had 
crossed  it ;  and  reached  Missouri ;  and  during  the  summer 
he  is  supposed  to  have  penetrated  as  far  as  the  highlands  of 
the  White  river,  200  miles  from  the  Mississippi.  Thence 
he  turned  towards  the  south,  and  passed  through  Arkansas 
into  Louisiana.  His  wanderings  and  contests  with  the 
Indians  continued  until  May  21st,  1542,  when,  worn  out 
with  sickness  and  fatigue,  the  unfortunate  Soto  died,  on  the 
banks  of  the  great  river  which  he  had  discovered.  To  con- 
ceal his  death  from  the  Indians  his  followers  sunk  fiis  body 
in  the  middle  of  the  stream. 

'  The  discoverer  of  the  Mississippi,'  says  Bancroft,  from 
whose  eloquent  history  we  have  condensed  this  brief  account 
of  his  expedition — '  the  discoverer  of  the  Mississippi  siept 
beneath  its  waters.  He  had  crossed  a  large  part  of  the  con- 
tinent in  search  of  gold,  and  found  nothing  so  remarkable 
as  his  burial  place.' 


Where  did  they  fight  a  battle   with 

the  Indians  ?    When  ? 
What  was  the  result  ? 
What  transpired  in  December  ? 
In  the  spring  ? 
What  did  the  Spaniards  lose  ? 


How  did  the  Indians  use  their  advan 

tage  ? 

What  did  Soto  discover  in  April,  1541  ? 
How  far  did  he  go  to  the  west  ? 
To  what  place  did  he  return  ? 
When  did  he  die  ? 


28  THE    FRENCH    IN    CAROLINA. 

He  had  been  the  soul  of  the  enterprise ;  and  when  1  e  had 
perished,  the  remnant  of  his  followers  were  only  anxious  for 
a  safe  passage  to  their  countrymen.  Under  the  conduct  of 
Moscoso,  their  new  leader,  they  attempted  to  reach  Mexico, 
and  marched  300  miles  westward  from  the  Mississippi.  But 
the  Red  river  was  swollen  so  as  to  present  an  impassable 
barrier  to  their  further  progress,  and  they  were  compelled  to 
return  and  prepare  boats  for  passing  down  the  Mississippi  to 
the  gulf  of  Mexico— an  undertaking  of  great  difficulty  and 
danger,  which  was  not  accomplished  until  July  18th,  1543. 
Fifty  days  afterwards  the  remnant  of  Soto's  splendid  company 
of  adventurers,  now  reduced  to  311  in  number,  arrived  at 
the  province  of  Panuco  in  Mexico. 

Thus  far  the  Spaniards,  although  they  claimed  the  whole 
coast  of  the  United  States  under  the  name  of  Florida,  had  not 
effected  a  single  settlement  on  the  soil.  For  some  years  after 
Soto's  failure  the  design  seems  to  have  been  abandoned ;  until 
an  attempt  of  the  French  to  establish  a  colony  in  Florida 
awakened  the  jealousy  of  the  Spaniards,  and  brought  them 
forward  once  more,  to  revive  and  make  good  their  claim  to 
the  land  which  had  cost  them  so  much  blood  and  treasure. 

Gaspard  de  Coligny,  admiral  of  France,  conceived  the 
design  of  establishing  a  colony  of  French  Protestants  in 
America,  which  should  afford  a  refuge  to  those  who  were 
persecuted  for  their  religious  opinions,  during  the  civil  wars 
with  which  his  country  was  disturbed  in  the  reign  of  Charles 
IX.  He  obtained  a  commission  for  this  purpose  from  the 
king;  and  intrusted  the  expedition  to  John  Ribault,  who 
sailed  with  a  squadron  in  February,  1562. 

Having  arrived  on  the  coast  of  Florida  in  the  latitude  of 
St.  Augustine,  Ribault  explored  the  coast,  discovered  the  river 
St.  Johns,  which  he  called  the  river  of  May,  and  visited  Port 
Royal  entrance,  near  Beaufort,  and  having  left  a  colony  of 
26  persons  at  a  fort  which  he  named  Carolina  in  honour  of 
Charles  IX,  he  returned  to  France.  The  civil  wars  in  that 
kingdom  being  revived,  no  reinforcements  were  sent  out  to 
the  colony,  and  it  was  speedily  abandoned. 

On  the  return  of  peace  (1564)  Coligny  was  enabled  to  send 
out  a  new  expedition  under  Laudonniere,  an  able  and  intelli- 
gent commander,  who  arrived  on  the  coast  of  Florida  in  June, 


What  course  did  his  followers  take  ? 

Under  what  commander  ? 

What  caused  their  return  ? 

How  did  they  reach  Mexico  ?  When  ? 

How  many  of  the  Spaniards  survived  ? 


What  nation  next  attempted  the  set 

tlement  of  Florida  ? 
Where  did  Admiral  Coligny  plant  a 

colony  ?    When  ? 
What  occasioned  its  failure  ? 


MASSACRE    OF    THE    FRENCH.  2i* 

began  a  settlement  on  the  river  May,  and  erected  a  new  Fort 
Carolina,  many  leagues  to  the  south  of  its  predecessor.  Here 
they  had  to  encounter  the  usual  hardships  and  privations  of 
settlers  in  a  new  country,  till  December  of  the  same  year, 
when  a  part  of  the  colonists,  under  pretence  of  escaping  from 
famine,  obtained  permission  from  Laudonniere  to  equip  two 
vessels  and  sail  for  Mexico.  But  instead  of  doing  so,  they 
began  to  capture  Spanish  vessels.  They  were  taken  and 
punished,  as  pirates. 

When  the  colony  was  nearly  exhausted  by  the  scarcity  of 
food,  relief  was  brought  by  the  fleet  of  Sir  John  Hawkins, 
who  furnished  a  supply  of  provisions,  and  made  the  offer  of 
one  of  his  vessels  to  convey  the  French  to  their  own  country. 
Just  as  they  were  preparing  to  embark,  Ribault  arrived  with 
a  reinforcement  and  ample  supplies  of  every  kind. 

The  colony  had  now  a  fair  prospect  of  ultimate  success. 
But  it  had  been  planted  in  a  territory  to  which  the  Spanish 
had  a  prior  claim,  which,  although  dormant,  was  by  no  means 
extinct.  An  expedition  was  soon  fitted  out  for  the  occupation 
of  Florida;  and  its  departure  from  Spain  was  hastened  by  the 
report,  that  the  country  was  already  in  possession  of  a  com- 
pany of  settlers  doubly  obnoxious  to  the  Spaniards  on  account 
of  their  nation  and  their  religion.  They  were  not  only 
Frenchmen,  but  Protestants. 

This  expedition,  commanded  by  Pedro  Melendez,  came  in 
sight  of  the  Florida  shore  in  August,  1565.  A  few  days 
afterwards  Melendez  discovered  and  named  the  harbour  of 
St.  Augustine,  and  learned  the  position  of  the  French.  Before 
attacking  them,  he  landed  at  St.  Augustine,  and  took  pos- 
session of  the  continent  in  the  name  of  the  King  of  Spain,  and 
laid  the  foundation  of  the  town.  This  interesting  event  took 
place  on  the  8th  of  September,  1565  ;  more  than  forty  years 
before  the  settlement  of  Jamestown  in  Virginia.  St.  Augustine 
can,  therefore,  boast  a  higher  antiquity  than  the  Ancient  Do- 
minion. 

Meanwhile  the  French,  having  learned  the  arrival  of  their 
enemies,  nearly  all  abandoned  the  settlement  on  the  river 
May,  embarked  in  their  fleet,  and  were  shipwrecked  on  the 
coast.  The  remnant  were  attacked  and  massacred  by  the 


Where  did  Laudonniere  make  a  set- 
tlement ? 

What  was  done  by  a  part  of  the  set- 
tlers ? 

Who  relieved  the  colony  ? 

What  did  he  offer  to  the  French  ? 


3* 


Who  threatened  its  extinction  ? 
When  did  Melendez  arrive  ? 
What  town  did  he  found  ? 
What  is  said  of  it  ? 
How  were  the  French  colonists  treat* 
ed  by  Melendez  ? 


30 


MASSACRE    OF    THE    SPANIARDS. 


Spaniards,  who,  in  honour  of  the  saint  on  whose  festival  the 
victory  had  been  obtained,  gave  the  river  May  the  name  of 
St.  Matheo,  or  St.  Matthew.  Those  Frenchmen  who  had 
survived  the  shipwreck  of  the  fleet,  surrendered  to  Melendez 
on  a  promise  of  safety  ;  but  they  were  nearly  all  put  to  death, 
many  of  them  were  hung  on  gibbets  with  the  inscription  over 
their  heads,  'Not  as  Frenchmen,  but  as  Protestants.'  A  few 
Catholics  were  saved  from  the  massacre.  After  thus  extirpat- 
ing the  French  colony,  the  Spaniards  sailed  for  their  native 
country,  leaving  a  force  in  possession  of  the  settlement. 

As  the  French  government  took  no  measures  for  punishing 
this  aggression,  Dominic  de  Gourgues,  a  French  officer  of 
some  distinction,  fitted  out  an  expedition  of  three  ships  and 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men  at  his  own  cost,  (1568,)  for  the 
express  purpose  of  avenging  his  murdered  countrymen.  He 
surprised  the  forts  on  the  river  St.  Matheo,  and  captured  a 
considerable  number  of  prisoners,  who  were  forthwith  hanged 
upon  trees  with  the  inscription  over  their  heads,  '  /  do  not 
this  as  unto  Spaniards  or  mariners,  but  as  unto  traitors, 
robbers,  and  murderers.'  He  then  embarked  without  at- 
tempting to  keep  possession  of  his  conquest.  His  acts  were 
disavowed  by  the  French  government,  and  the  Spaniards 
continued  to  hold  the  colony. 

Thus  it  appears,  that  up  to  the  year  1568,  the  Spaniards 
were  the  only  nation  holding  possessions  within  the  territory 
at  present  belonging  to  the  United  States.  It  was  nearly  forty 
years  after  this  that  England  began  the  settlement  of  Virginia. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


ENGLAND    ATTEMPTS    TO    COLONIZE    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

THE  fisheries  of  Newfoundland  appear  to  have  been  visited 
frequently,  if  not  annually,  by  the  English  as  well  as  the 
French  navigators,  during  the  early  part  of  the  sixteenth 
century ;  and  both  nations  cherished  the  design  of  founding 
colonies  in  North  America.  We  have  already  shown  that 
Nova  Scotia  was  settled  by  the  French  in  1605,  and  Canada 
in  1608. 


How  was  this  revenged  ? 

By  whom  f 

What  part  01  North  Americs.  was 


visited  by  the  French  and  English 
in  the  early  part  of  the  16th  cen- 
tury ? 


SIR    FRANCIS    DRAKE. 


31 


Previous  to  these  settlements  the  English  were  by  no  means 
inactive  in  the  career  of  western  adventure.  The  discovery 
of  a  north-west  passage  to  India  was  a  favourite  project  with 
them,  notwithstanding  the  failure  of  the  Cabots  in  attempting 
it.  An  expedition  for  this  purpose  was  fitted  out  by  Martin 
Frobisher,  under  the  patronage  of  Dudley,  Earl  of  Warwick, 
in  1576.  It  consisted  of  two  small  barks,  of  twenty  and 
twenty-five  tons  burden,  one  of  which  was  lost  on  the  outward 
passage.  With  the  remaining  vessel  Frobisher  pursued  his 
voyage  ;  landed  on  the  coast  of  Labrador,  and  brought  away 
some  of  the  mineral  productions  of  the  country.  On  his  re- 
turn one  of  the  stones  he  had  found  was  thought,  by  the 
English  refiners,  to  contain  gold.  This  circumstance  gave  a 
new  direction  to  British  enterprise,  and  gold  became  now  the 
grand  object  of  discovery.  Queen  Elizabeth  contributed  to 
the  fitting  out  of  a  new  expedition,  which  returned  laden  with 
what  was  supposed  to  be  gold  ore,  but  was  soon  discovered  to 
be  worthless  earth.  (1577.)  Not  discouraged  by  this  result, 
the  queen  lent  her  aid  to  a  new  enterprise,  which  had  for  its 
objects  the  permanent  settlement  of  that  high  northern  region, 
and  the  working  of  its  supposed  mines  of  gold.  Fifteen 
vessels,  carrying  one  hundred  settlers,  many  of  whom  were 
sons  of  the  English  gentry,  were  despatched  in  pursuit  of 
boundless  wealth  in  the  New  World.  The  fleet  encountered 
great  difficulties  and  dangers  among  the  currents  and  islands 
of  ice,  with  which  the  northern  seas  abounded  ;  the  settlers 
were  afraid  to  remain  in  so  dreary  a  region ;  and  their  hopes 
of  bringing  home  cargoes  of  gold  ore  were,  of  course,  as  futile 
as  those  of  their  predecessors. 

While  these  attempts  were  made  on  the  eastern  coast  of 
North  America,  Sir  Francis  Drake,  in  one  of  his  cruises  in 
search  of  Spanish  merchantmen  in  the  Pacific,  thought  proper 
to  explore  the  western  coast  in  hopes  of  finding  the  supposed 
northern  strait  connecting  the  two  oceans.  He  sailed  as  far 
as  the  forty-third  degree  of  north  latitude,  and  was  conse 
quently  the  first  Englishman  who  visited  the  Oregon  territory. 
(1579.) 

The  plan  of  colonisation  was,  meanwhile,  revived  by  Sir 
Humphrey  Gilbert,  a  man  of  intelligence  and  singular  intre- 
pidity, who,  having  obtained  a  charter  from  Queen  Elizabeth, 


What  was  the  object  of  Frobisher's 

expedition  ? 
Where  did  he  land  ? 
What  did  he  bring  away  ? 
What  occasioned  a  new  expedition  ? 


What  was  the  result  ? 

What  was  the  result  of  the  third 

expedition  ? 
What    discovery    was    made    by 

Drake  ? 


32 


ENGLISH    IN    NORTH    CAROLINA. 


sailed  from  England  with  a  small  fleet  in  1579,  in  hopes  of 
establishing  a  permanent  colony :  but  the  loss  of  one  of  his 
ships  and  other  disasters  compelled  him  to  return.  A  new 
?quadron  was  fitted  out  by  the  joint  exertions  of  Gilbert  and 
his  step-brother,  Walter  Raleigh,  in  1583.  Nothing  more 
was  accomplished  by  this  expedition,  than  the  empty  cere- 
mony of  taking  possession  of  Newfoundland  in  the  queen's 
name,  and  the  discovery  of  some  earth  which  was  falsely 
supposed  to  contain  silver.  On  the  passage  home,  the  small 
vessel  in  which  the  unfortunate  Gilbert  sailed  was  foundered. 
Her  companion  reached  England  in  safety. 

Not  disheartened  by  the  sad  fate  of  his  step-brother,  Raleigh 
determined  to  found  a  colony  farther  to  the  south.  For  this 
purpose,  having  obtained  a  patent  from  the  queen,  he  de- 
spatched two  vessels  under  the  command  of  Amidas  and 
Barlow,  who  arrived  on  the  shores  of  Carolina  in  July,  1584, 
and  after  sailing  along  the  coast  for  a  distance  of  one  hundred 
miles,  landed  on  the  island  of  Wococken,  the  southernmost 
of  the  islands  forming  Ocracock  inlet.  They  were  delighted 
with  the  rich  and  verdant  appearance  of  the  country,  and  the 
mild  and  gentle  manners  of  the  natives  ;  and  having  explored 
Albemarle  and  Pamlico  sounds  and  Roanoke  island,  and 
induced  two  of  the  natives  to  accompany  them,  they  returned 
to  England. 

The  accounts,  which  they  gave  of  the  beauty  and  fertility 
of  the  country,  were  so  flattering,  that  Queen  Elizabeth 
considered  it  an  important  addition  to  her  dominions,  and 
gave  it  the  name  of  Virginia,  in  reference  to  her  own  un- 
married state.  Raleigh,  who  had  now  received  tha  honour 
of  knighthood,  soon  fitted  out  a  new  expedition  of  seven 
vessels,  carrying  one  hundred  and  eight  settlers  under  the 
direction  of  Ralph  Lane,  who  was  appointed  governor  of  the 
colony.  Sir  Richard  Grenville,  Hariot,  Cavendish,  and  other 
distinguished  men  accompanied  him.  Arriving  on  the  coast, 
the  fleet  was  in  some  danger  of  shipwreck  near  a  head  land, 
to  which  they  gave  the  name  of  Cape  Fear.  It  escaped, 
however,  and  arrived  at  Roanoke.  After  landing,  the  men  of 
science,  attached  to  the  expedition,  made  an  excursion,  to 


When   did  Gilbert's  first  expedition 

take  place  ? 
What  was  the  result  ? 
What  was  accomplished  by  Gilbert 

and  Raleigh's  expedition  ? 
What  was  Gilbert's  fate  ? 
Who  were  sent  out  by  Raleigh  in 

/584? 


Where  did  they  land  ? 

What  followed  ? 

What  name  did  the  queen  give  the 
country  ? 

Who  commanded  the  next  expedi- 
tion ? 

What  distinguished  persons  accom- 
panied it  ? 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT    OF    ROANOKE 


33 


examine  the  country ;  and  in  revenge  for  some  petty  theft,  Sir 
Richard  Grenville  ordered  an  Indian  town  to  be  burnt.  He 
soon  after  sailed  for  England,  leaving  Lane  and  his  company 
behind.  Hariot,  who  was  an  accurate  observer  of  nature, 
paid  considerable  attention  to  the  native  productions  of  the 
soil.  Among  these  were  tobacco,  maize  or  Indian  corn,  and 
potatoes,  which,  till  then  unknown  to  the  English,  have  since 
become  important  sources  of  subsistence  and  wealth  in  every 
part  of  the  country. 

The  Indians  were  at  first  considered  by  no  means  formi 
dable  to  the  colonists.  Their  weapons  were  bows  and  arrows, 
and  wooden  swords.  They  were  divided  into  numerous 
small  tribes,  independent  of  each  other.  The  largest  of  these 
tribes  could  scarcely  muster  a  thousand  warriors.  Their 
terror  at  the  effects  of  the  English  fire-arms  was  only  equalled 
by  the  superstitious  reverence  which  they  professed  for  beings 
who  were  so  much  their  superiors  in  knowledge  and  arts. 

Their  fears,  however,  did  not  restrain  them  from  attempts 
to  destroy  the  intruders,  as  soon  as  they  began  to  suspect 
them  of  a  design  to  supplant  themselves  in  the  possession  of 
the  soil.  They  formed  a  conspiracy  to  massacre  the  English, 
and  even  thought  of  abandoning  their  fields  in  order  to  drive 
them  away  by  famine.  When  the  situation  of  the  colony  had 
become  critical,  and  the  people  were  beginning  to  despond, 
Sir  Francis  Drake,  with  a  fleet  of  twenty-three  vessels,  on  his 
way  from  the  West  Indies  to  England,  paid  them  a  visit ;  and 
the  whole  colony  abandoned  the  soil,  and  returned  to  their 
native  country.  (1586.) 

A  few  days  afterwards,  a  ship,  which  had  been  sent  out  by 
Raleigh,  arrived  with  supplies  for  the  colony,  and  soon  after, 
Sir  Richard  Grenville,  with  three  more  ships,  sought  in  vain 
for  those  whom  he  had  so  recently  left  full  of  hope  and  reso 
lution,  to  hold  permanent  possession  of  the  land.  He  left 
fifteen  men  on  the  island  of  Roanoke,  who  were  afterwards 
ascertained  to  have  been  murdered  by  the  Indians. 

Next  year  (1587)  Raleigh  sent  out  a  colony  of  emigrants 
with  their  wives  and  families,  hoping  thus  to  ensure  their 
permanent  residence.  They  were  directed  to  settle  on  Chesa- 
peake bay,  but  the  governor,  White,  was  compelled  b^  he 


Tho  was  left   in  command   of  the 

colony  ? 
iVhat  important  productions  of  the 

soil  were  discovered  ? 
What  is  said  of  the  Indians  ? 
What  did  they  attempt ' 


What  caused  the  abandcnment  of  tht 

colony?    When  i1 
Who  arrived  soon  afterwards  ? 
What  befell  the  colonists  left  by  him 
How  did  Raleigh  endeavour  to  rende 

the  next  roloiy  permanent  ? 


34 


GOSNOLL    IN    NEW    ENGLAND. 


commander  of  the  fleet  to  remain  on  Roanoke.  The  emigrants 
net  with  tho  usual  hardships,  and  many  of  them  only  remained 
'11  the  close  of  the  summer.  During  their  stay,  Virginia 
Jare,  the  grand-daughter  of  the  governor,  was  born,  the  firs 
descendant  of  English  parents  in  our  country. 

She  remained  with  her  parents  after  the  governor  had 
•eturned  to  England,  and  with  them  she  perished  in  the  land 
of  her  birth.  The  threatened  invasion  of  England  by  the 
Spanish  armada,  prevented  Raleigh  from  sending  out  rein- 
forcements; and  when,  in  1590,  governor  White  returned  to 
search  for  his  daughter  and  grand-child,  Roanoke,  the  place 
of  their  settlement,  was  deserted.  The  fate  of  the  colony  was 
never  precisely  ascertained. 

When  the  English  had  succeeded  in  defeating  the  Spanish 
fleet,  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  finding  his  fortune  too  much  dimi- 
lished  to  continue  the  project  of  colonising  Virginia,  made  use 
of  the  privilege  granted  in  his  patent  to  form  a  company  of 
merchants  and  adventurers,  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  his 
original  design.  Among  the  members  of  the  new  company 
was  Richard  Hakluyt,  prebendary  of  Westminster,  a  man  of 
distinguished  learning  and  intelligence,  and  the  author  of  an 
extensive  collection  of  voyages.  He  contributed  more  than 
any  other  individual  to  awaken  among  his  countrymen  that 
spirit  of  foreign  enterprise,  for  which  they  have  ever  since 
been  distinguished.  Although  the  design  of  the  new  company 
was  not  immediately  executed,  yet  to  them  we  are  chiefly 
indebted  for  the  expedition  which  finally  effected  a  permanent 
settlement,  as  we  shall  hereafter  relate. 

While  their  operations  were  suspended,  a  voyage  took 
place,  which  had  nearly  given  to  New  England  a  priority  over 
Virginia  in  the  period  of  its  settlement.  This  voyage  was 
undertaken  in  1603,  by  Bartholomew  Gosnold,  who,  aban- 
doning the  usual  route  to  America  by  the  Canaries  and  West 
[ndies,  sailed  directly  across  the  Atlantic  and  landed  in 
Massachusetts  Bay,  discovered  and  named  Cape  Cod,  the 
Elizabeth  Islands,  and  Buzzard's  Bay,  which  he  called  Gos- 
ild's  Hope.  On  the  westernmost  of  the  Elizabeth  Islands, 
•>  which  he  gave  the  name  now  applied  to  the  whole  group, 
i,e  landed  some  men  with  a  design  of  settling.  A  fort  and 
store  house  were  built;  and  preparations  were  made  for  a 


Did  he  succeed  ? 

Who  was  the  first  Anglo-American  ? 

What  is  said  of  Hakluyt  ? 


What  discoveries  were  made  by  Gos- 
nold in  New  England  ? 

Did  he  make  a  permanent  scttlemenl 
in  New  England  ? 


VOYAGES    OF    PRING    AND    WEYMOUTH.  35 

permanent  residence  on  the  spot.  But  the  courage  of  the 
colonists  failed,  and  the  whole  company  returned  to  England 
after  a  short  voyage  of  four  months. 

In  1603,  and  1606,  Martin  Pring  made  two  voyages  to  the 
American  coast,  which  he  explored  from  MarJha's  Vineyard 
to  the  north-eastern  part  of  Maine.  His  object  was  to  traffic 
with  the  natives,  and  in  this  he  was  successful. 

Nearly  the  same  ground  was  passed  over  in  1605,  by  George 
Weymouth,  who  discovered  and  ascended  the  Penobscot 
river;  and  on  his  return  brought  away  five  of  the  natives, 
whom  he  had  decoyed  on  board  his  ship. 

Thus  far  the  attempts  of  the  English  to  form  permanent 
settlements  on  our  snores  were  unsuccessful.  Still  these 
expeditions  served  to  keep  alive  the  claims  which  were 
founded  on  the  discovery  of  the  Cabots  ;  and  the  extent  of 
the  explorations  made  by  English  voyagers  on  the  coast,  was 
subsequently  considered  a  sufficient  ground  for  expelling,  or 
incorporating  with  their  own  establishments,  the  colonies 
which  were  planted  by  other  nations  on  the  soil  of  the 
United  States. 


CHAPTER  V. 

COLONISATION    OF    VIRGINIA. 


ALTHOUGH  the  attempts  to  form  a  permanent  colony  in 
Virginia  had  not  hitherto  succeeded,  many  persons  of  distinc- 
tion in  England  still  entertained  sanguine  hopes  of  ultimately 
effecting  this  grand  object.  Gosnold,  whose  voyage  to  New 
England  we  have  already  noticed,  succeeded  in  forming  a 
company  consisting  of  himself,  Wingfield,  a  merchant,  Hunt, 
a  clergyman,  and  the  celebrated  Captain  John  Smith ;  and 
they  were,  for  more  than  a  year,  engaged  in  considering  the 
project  of  a  plantation.  At  the  same  time  Sir  Ferdinand 
Gorges  was  forming  a  similar  design,  in  which  he  was  joined 
by  Sir  John  Popham,  lord  chief  justice  of  England. 

Hakluyt,  who  was  a  participator  in  the  privileges  of  Ra- 
leigh's patent,  was  desirous  of  proceeding  with  his  plan  ol 

Why  not  ?  I  What  is  said  of  all  these  unsuccessful 

What  is  said  of  Pring  *  expedition  ?     !      expeditions  of  the  English  ? 
Of  Weymouth's  ?  What  persons  now  formed  the  design 

'      of  colonising  Virginia  ? 


36 


FIRST    CHARTER    OF    VIRGINIA. 


:olonisation  ;  and  the  King  of  England,  James  I,  was  favour- 
ably disposed  towards  the  design  of  enlarging  his  dominions. 
A.  company  was  formed  by  Gates,  Somers,  Gosnold,  Smith, 
Hakluyt,  Gorges,  and  Popham ;  application  was  made  to  the 
king  for  a  charter ;  and  one  was  readily  obtained  which  secured 
ample  privileges  to  the  colonists. 

On  the  10th  of  April,  1606,  the  charter  was  issued  under 
the  great  seal  of  England,  to  the  petitioners,  Sir  Thomas 
Gates  and  his  associates,  granting  to  them  those  territories  in 
America,  lying  on  the  sea  coast  between  the  34th  and  45th 
degrees  of  north  latitude,  (that  is,  from  Cape  Fear  to  Halifax,) 
and  which  either  belonged  to  James  I,  or  were  not  then  pos- 
sessed by  any  other  Christian  prince  or  people ;  and  also  the 
islands  adjacent  to,  or  within  one  hundred  miles  of  the  coast. 
The  French  settlement  already  noticed  in  Nova  Scotia,  then 
called  Acadia,  was  of  course  excepted  by  these  terras. 

The  petitioners  were  divided  by  their  own  desire  into  two 
companies  ;  one  consisting  of  certain  knights,  gentlemen, 
merchants  and  other  adventurers  of  the  city  of  London,  and 
elsewhere,  was  called  the  first  colony,  and  was  required  to 
settle  between  the  34th  and  41st  degrees  of  north  latitude ;  the 
other  consisting  of  certain  knights,  gentlemen,  merchants  and 
other  adventurers  of  Bristol,  Exeter,  and  other  places  in  the 
west  of  England,  and  called  the  second  colony,  was  ordered 
to  settle  between  the  38th  and  45th  degrees  of  north  latitude. 

The  intermediate  region  from  38  to  41  degrees  was  open 
to  both  companies,  and  to  prevent  collision,  each  was  to  pos- 
sess the  soil  extending  fifty  miles  north  and  south  of  its  first 
settlement.  Thus,  neither  company  could  plant  within  one 
hundred  miles  of  a  colony  of  its  rival. 

The  patent  also  empowered  the  companies  to  transport  to 
the  colonies  as  many  English  subjects  as  should  be  willing  to 
accompany  them,  who  with  their  descendants  were  to  retain 
the  same  liberties,  within  any  other  dominions  of  the  crown 
of  England,  as  if  they  had  remained  or  were  born  within  the 
realm.  The  land  of  the  colonies  was  to  be  held  on  the  con- 
dition of  homage  to  the  crown,  and  a  rent  consisting  of  one- 
fifth  of  the  net  produce  of  gold  and  silver,  and  one-fifth  of  the 
copper  which  might  be  taken  from  the  mines  to  be  discovered. 


VVho  obtained  the  first  charter  ? 

From  what  king  ? 

When  ? 

What  terri'ories  did  it  grant  ? 

Did  this  include  French  America  ? 

How  were  the  petitioners  divided  ? 


What  was  required  of  the  first  com- 
pany ? 

Who  composed  it  ? 

What  was  required  of  the  second  f 

Who  composed  it  ? 

What  privileges  were  granted  to  the 
colonists  ? 


30VERNMENT    UNDER   THE    FIRST    CHARTER. 


37 


The  right  of  coining  money  was  also  conferred  on  the  colo- 
nies. 

The  government  of  the  colony,  the  king  retained  as  much 
as  was  possible  in  his  own  hands  ;  for  it  was  one  of  his  foi- 
bles, to  imagine  that  he  possessed  the  most  consummate  skill, 
not  only  in  the  construction  of  laws,  but  in  the  policy  of 
government. 

Accordingly  the  superintendence  of  the  whole  colonial  sys- 
tem was  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  council  in  England  ;  and  the 
administration  of  affairs  in  each  colony  was  confided  to  a 
council  residing  within  its  limits.  The  king  reserved  to  him 
self  and  his  successors  the  right  of  appointing  the  members 
of  the  superior  council,  and  of  causing  those  of  the  colonial 
councils  to  be  ordained  or  removed  according  to  his  own 
instructions.  He  also  took  upon  himself  the  task,  so  agree- 
able to  his  vanity,  of  framing  a  code  of  laws  both  general  and 
particular. 

Thus  the  legislative  and  executive  powers  were  all  virtually 
reserved  to  the  crown  of  England.  '  At  this  time,'  says  a 
late  writer,*  '  the  English  were  accustomed  to  the  arbitrary 
rule  of  their  monarchs,  and  the  limits  of  the  royal  prerogative 
were  unknown.  It  was  either  not  perceived,  or  not  attended 
to,  that  by  placing  the  legislative  and  executive  powers  in  a 
council  nominated  by  the  king,  every  settler  in  America  was 
deprived  of  the  chief  privilege  of  a  freeman — that  of  giving 
his  voice  in  the  election  of  those  who  frame  the  laws  which 
he  is  to  observe,  and  impose  the  taxes  which  he  is  to  pay.' 

By  the  code  of  laws,  which  the  king  prepared,  it  was  pro- 
vided that  the  superior  council  in  England  might  name  the 
colonial  council,  with  power  to  elect  its  own  officers  and  fill 
its  own  vacancies.  The  religion  of  the  church  of  England 
was  established  for  the  colony.  Lands  were  to  descend  by 
the  common  law.  Murder,  sedition,  and  some  other  crimes 
were  punishable  by  death  after  trial  by  jury.  But  civil 
causes,  requiring  corporeal  punishment,  were  decided  by  the 
council,  which  was  also  empowered  to  enact  such  additional 
.aws  as  the  condition  of  the  colony  might  require.  Com- 
merce with  foreign  nations  was  not  restrained  either  by  the 
terms  of  the  patent  or  the  laws. 


What  is  said  of  the  king  ? 

What  was  the  form  of  government 
under  the  rirst  charter  of  Virginia  ? 

Where  were  the  legislative  and  ex- 
ecutive powers  vested  > 


What  remaiks  on  this  subject  are 

quoted  ? 
What  were    the  provisions   of    the 

laws  made  by  King  James  for  Vii 

ginia .' 


Hodgson. 
4 


38  NEWPORT    SAILS    FROM    ENGLAND 

Such  were  the  regulations  under  which  the  patentees  pro 
ceeded  to  the  arduous  task  of  founding  a  colony  at  the  distance 
of  three  thousand  miles  from  the  mother  country,  in  a  region 
filled  with  powerful  tribes  of  savages,  who,  if  they  should  at 
first  receive  them  as  friendly  visiters,  would  not  be  slow  to 
discover  that  their  occupation  of  the  soil  was  dangerous  to 
themselves  and  their  posterity. 

Having  procured  their  charter,  the  patentees  proceeded  to 
fit  out  a  squadron  of  three  small  vessels,  the  largest  not  ex- 
ceeding one  hundred  tons  burden,  bearing  one  hundred  and 
five  men  destined  to  remain.  This  squadron  was  placed 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Newport;  and  sailed  from 
England  on  the  19th  of  December,  1606,  one  hundred  and 
nine  years  after  the  discovery  of  the  continent  by  Cabot. 

Among  the  emigrants  were  some  gentlemen  of  distin> 
guished  families,  particularly  Mr.  Percy,  brother  to  the  Earl 
of  Northumberland  ;  but  there  was  a  great  deficiency  of  arti- 
sans, mechanics,  and  labourers,  so  absolutely  necessary  in  a 
new  settlement,  and  none  of  the  men  brought  families  with 
them,  which  at  the  present  day  we  should  consider  quite 
essential  to  the  success  of  such  an  enterprise.  On  the  voy- 
age, dissensions  arose  ;  and  as  King  James  had  concealed  the 
names  and  instructions  of  the  council  in  a  box,  which  was 
not  to  be  opened  till  their  arrival,  no  one  could  assume  the 
authority  necessary  to  repress  disorders.  Smith,  on  account 
of  his  superior  merit  and  ability,  was  particularly  obnoxious 
to  the  other  adventurers. 

Captain  Newport  pursued  the  old  track  by  the  way  of  the 
Canaries  and  the  West  Indies,  and,  as  he  turned  to  the  north, 
he  was  carried  by  a  severe  storm  beyond  Roanoke,  whither 
he  had  been  ordered,  into  Chesapeake  bay.  Having  disco- 
vered and  named  Cape  Henry  and  Cape  Charles,  in  honour 
of  the  king's  sons,  he  sailed  up  the  noble  bay.  All  the  com- 
pany were  filled  with  admiration  of  its  extent,  the  fertility 
of  its  shores,  and  the  magnificent  features  of  the  surrounding 
scenery. 

They  soon  entered  the  river  Powhatan,  which  in  honour 
of  the  king  was  called  James  river  ;  and,  after  seventeen  days' 
search,  fixed  'upon  the  peninsula  of  Jamestown,  about  fifty 
miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  stream,  as  a  suitable  site  for  the 
colony.  They  landed  on  the  13th  of  May,  1607;  and,  hav- 


Who  commanded  the  first  expedition 

under  this  charter  ? 
When  did  it  sail  ? 
What  happened  on  the  voyage  ? 


What  bay,  capes,  and  river  were  dia 

covered  ? 

Where  did  they  land  ? 
When  ? 


SETTLEMENT    OF    JAMESTOWN. 


Captain  Smith  showing  the  compass. 

ing  learned,  from  the  papers  contained  in  the  king's  box,  who 
were  the  appointed  members  of  the  council,  that  body  elected 
Wingfield  for  their  president,  and  excluded  Captain  Smith 
from  their  number,  on  a  charge  of  sedition. 

A  few  huts  were  raised  to  protect  them  from  the  incle- 
mency of  the  weather,  and  a  small  fort  for  defence  against  the 
natives.  A  part  of  the  men  were  employed  in  cutting  timber 
and  loading  the  ships  for  England,  while  Newport  and  Smith 
with  a  small  party  ascended  the  river,  and  visited  the  Indian 
king,  Powhatan,  in  his  capital,  which  consisted  of  twelve 
wigwams.  His  subjects  regarded  the  English  as  intruders, 
but  the  king  himself  manifested  a  friendly  disposition. 

In  a  month,  Newport  set  sail  for  England ;  and  then  the 
difficulties  of  the  colonists  began  to  be  apparent.  Their  pro- 
visions were  spoiled,  and  the  climate  was  soon  found  to  be 
as  uncongenial  to  European  constitutions  as  the  wild  country 
was  to  their  idle  and  dissipated  habits.  During  the  summer, 
nearly  every  man  was  sick,  and,  before  autumn,  fifty  of  their 
number  had  died.  Among  them  was  Bartholomew  Go&nold, 
the  original  projector  of  the  settlement,  and  one  of  the  ablest 
and  best  men  in  the  council. 

The  incapacity  and  dissensions  of  the  council  made  it 
necessary  to  confide  the  management  of  affairs  to  Captain 
Smith,  whose  energy  and  prudence  soon  revived  the  hopes 


Who  was  excluded  ? 

Who  was  intrusted  with  the  com- 
mand of  the  colony  ? 

What  were  their  first  proceedings  ? 

Who  visited  Powhatan  ? 

How  were  they  regarded  by  his  sub- 
jects ? 


By  himself  ? 

What  did  the  colonists  endure  after 

the  ships  left  them  ? 
Who  died  ? 
Who  was  afterwards  intrusted  with 

the  management  of  affairs  ? 


40  ADVENTURES  OF  CAPTAIN  SMITH. 

of  the  colonists.  In  the  autumn  the  Indians  brought  them  a 
supply  of  provisions  ;  and  abundance  of  wild  fowl  and  game 
was  found  in  the  woods. 

It  had  been  enjoined  upon  them,  by  the  London  company, 
to  explore  some  stream  running  from  the  north-west,  in  hopes 
of  finding  a  passage  to  the  Pacific  Ocean ;  and  Smith,  with 
probably  very  little  expectation  of  making  such  a  discovery, 
obeyed  this  injunction  by  sailing  up  the  Chickahominy  as  far 
as  he  could  in  boats  ;  and  then,  to  gratify  his  own  fondness 
for  adventure  and  research,  he  landed  and  proceeded  into  the 
interior.  The  party  was  surprised  by  the  Indians,  and  all 
but  Smith  were  put  to  death. 

In  this  emergency,  the  self-possession  and  courage  of  this 
remarkable  man  preserved  his  life.  Taking  out  a  pocket 
compass,  he  showed  it  to  the  Indians,  explained  to  them  its 
wonderful  properties,  and  amused  and  astonished  them  by 
such  ideas  as  he  was  able  to  convey  of  the  system  of  the  uni- 
verse. They  already  believed  him  a  superior  being,  and 
granted  him  the  permission  which  he  desired,  to  send  a  letter 
to  his  friends  at  Jamestown.  The  effect  of  this  letter  made 
him  a  still  greater  object  of  wonder.  He  was  conducted 
through  their  villages,  and  finally  brought  to  the  king,  Pow- 
hatan  ;  who,  after  detaining  him  some  time,  would  have  put 
him  to  death,  if  his  daughter,  Pocahontas,  a  child  of  twelve 
years  old,  had  not  rushed  between  him  and  the  executioner, 
and  begged  her  father  to  spare  his  life.  At  her  intercession 
he  was  saved. 

The  Indians  now  sought  to  attach  him  to  themselves,  and 
gain  his  assistance  in  destroying  the  colony  ;  but  he  had  suf- 
ficient address  to  induce  them  to  abandon  this  hostile  design, 
and  permit  his  return.  This  event  was  followed  by  a  better 
understanding,  and  a  more  frequent  intercourse  between  the 
Indians  and  his  countrymen. 

On  his  return  to  Jamestown,  Smith  found  but  forty  of  the 
colonists  alive,  and  a  part  of  these  were  preparing  to  desert 
with  the  pinnace.  This  he  prevented  at  the  peril  of  his  life. 
Soon  after,  Newport  arrived  with  a  supply  of  provisions  and 
instruments  of  husbandry,  and  a  reinforcement  of  one  hundred 
persons,  composed  of  many  gentlemen,  several  refiners,  gold 


What  discovery  was  attempted  ? 
What  befell  the  party  ? 
How  did  Smith  escape  ? 
vVhither  was  he  conducted  ? 
What   prevented   the    Indians   from 
murdering  him  ? 


What  events  followed  ? 
What  was  the  condition  of  the  colon} 
on  Smith's  return  to  Jamestown  ? 
What  did  he  prevent  ? 
What  relief  arrived  ? 


THE    GOLD    MAMA.  41 


Captain  Smith  rescued  by  Pocahontas. 

smiths  and  jewellers,  and  a  few  labourers.     The  hopes  of 
the  colonists  were  revived  by  this  seasonable  relief. 

Not  long  after  their  arrival,  there  was  unfortunately  dis- 
covered, in  a  small  stream  of  water  near  Jamestovyn,  some 
shining  earth,  which  was  easily  mistaken  for  gold  dust.  This 
was  a  signal  for  abandoning  all  the  profitable  pursuits  of  in- 
dustry, in  the  search  for  gold.  '  There  was  no  thought,'  says 
Stith,  in  his  history,  '  no  discourse,  no  hope,  and  no  work, 
but  to  dig  gold,  wash  gold,  refine  gold,  and  load  gold.  And, 
notwithstanding  Captain  Smith's  warm  and  judicious  repre- 
sentations, how  absurd  it  was  to  neglect  other  things  of  im- 
mediate use  and  necessity,  to  load  such  a  drunken  ship  with 
gilded  dust,  yet  was  he  overruled,  and  her  returns  were  made 
in  a  parcel  of  glittering  dirt,  which  is  to  be  found  in  various 
parts  of  the  country,  and  which  they  very  sanguinely  con- 
cluded to  be  gold  dust.' 

Finding  himself  unable  to  prevent  this  folly,  Smith  em- 
ployed himself  in  surveying  the  Chesapeake  bay  and  its  tri- 
butary rivers.  The  two  voyages  which  he  made  in  an  open 
boat,  for  this  purpose,  lasted  three  months,  and  embraced  a 
navigation  of  nearly  three  thousand  miles.  The  map  which 
he  delineated  and  sent  to  the  London  company  still  exists, 
and  presents  correctly  the  great  natural  features  of  the  country 
which  he  explored. 

On  his  return,  (Sept.  10,  1608,)  Smith  was  made  presi- 
dent of  the  council,  and  was   performing  the  duties  of  that 
office  with  his  usual  energy  and  good  judgment,  when  New 
port  returned  with  seventy  emigrants,  two  of  whom  were 


What  diverted  the  colonists  from  pro- 
fitable industry  ? 
How  did  Smith  employ  himself  ? 


4* 


What  did  he  effect  ? 

To  what  office  was  he  elected  ? 

What  kind  of  emigrants  now  arrived .' 


42  SECOND    CHARTER   OF    VIRGINIA 

females.  The  men  were  not  the  description  of  persons  re 
quired  in  a  new  country ;  and  Smith  entreated  the  company 
to  send  him  rather,  '  but  thirty  carpenters,  husbandmen,  gar- 
deners, fishermen,  blacksmiths,  masons,  and  diggers  up  of 
trees'  roots,  than  a  thousand  such  as  they  had.' 

After  the  departure  of  the  ships,  Smith  exerted  himself  to 
bring  the  people  into  industrious  habits ;  requiring  them  tp 
work  six  hours  in  the  day ;  but  they  were  still  so  unskilful 
in  agriculture,  that  the  principal  dependence  of  the  colony  for 
provisions  was  on  the  Indians.  The  number  of  deaths 
during  the  season  was  only  seven,  out  of  a  population  of  two 
hundred. 

The  company  in  England  had  anticipated  great  and  sudden 
wealth  from  the  discovery  of  mines,  as  well  as  from  its  com- 
merce with  India,  which  they  expected  their  ships  to  reach 
by  sailing  up  the  Chesapeake  and  its  tributary  rivers.  Al- 
though disappointed  in  these  sanguine  hopes,  they  were  by 
no  means  discouraged  from  pursuing  their  career  of  adven- 
ture ;  and  in  order  to  increase  their  funds,  their  numbers,  and 
their  privileges,  they  petitioned  for  a  new  charter,  which  was 
granted  on  the  23d  of  May,  1609.  It  was  not  more  favour- 
able to  civil  liberty  than  that  which  it  superseded. 

The  change  which  now  took  place  in  the  constitution  of  the 
colony  was  a  remarkable  one.  The  new  charter  gave  to  the 
company  the  powers  which  had  previously  belonged  to  the 
king.  The  council  in  Virginia  was  abolished.  The  stock- 
holders were  allowed  to  choose  the  supreme  council,  resident 
in  England,  and  to  exercise  the  powers  of  legislation  and 
government.  The  governor  was  subject  to  their  instructions, 
but  might  rule  the  colonists  even  in  criminal  and  capital  cases 
without  any  other  controul.  He  might  also  declare  martial 
law,  whenever  he  should  deem  it  necessary  for  the  suppres- 
sion of  mutiny  and  rebellion.  The  people  were  thus  deprived 
of  all  power  of  self  government.  They  were  entirely  at  the 
mercy  of  the  company  in  London  ;  holding  their  fortunes  and 
their  lives  subject  to  the  controul  of  masters  who  could  be  but 
imperfectly  acquainted  with  their  condition  and  wants. 

The  territory  of  the  colony  was  extended  by  a  grant  of  all 
the  lands  from  Cape  or  Point  Comfort  along  the  sea  coast, 
two  hundred  miles  to  the  northward,  and  from  the  same  point, 
along  the  sea  coast  two  hundred  miles  to  the  southward,  and 


What  is  observed  of  their  habits  ?        I  What  were  the  chief  provisions  of  the 
What  is  said  of  the  Virginia  company  |      second  charter  ? 

in  England  ?  I  What    extent    of   territory    did    it 

When  did  they  obtain  a  new  charter  ?        grant  ? 


LORD    DELAWARE. 


43 


up  into  the  land,  throughout,  from  sea  to  sea,  west  and  north- 
west, and  also  all  islands  lying  within  one  hundred  miles  of 
the  coast  of  both  seas.  By  placing  a  pair  of  dividers  over  the 
map  of  the  United  States,  with  one  foot  on  the  coast  two  him 
dred  miles  south  of  Old  Point  Comfort,  and  the  other  two 
hundred  miles  north  of  the  same  point,  and  drawing  the  in 
strument  across  the  continent  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  one  may 
satisfy  himself  that  the  territory  of  the  Ancient  Dominion  was 
pretty  extensive. 

At  the  time  when  this  charter  was  granted,  the  company 
was  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  some  of  the  first  nobility  and 
gentry,  most  of  the  companies  in  London,  and  a  great  number 
of  merchants  and  tradesmen  ;  and  they  were  all  incorporated 
by  the  name  of  '  The  Treasurer  and  Company  of  Adventurers 
of  the  City  of  London,  for  the  first  Colony  in  Virginia.' 

The  scheme  of  colonisation  was  now  exceedingly  populai 
in  England.  Great  numbers  of  adventurers  offered  them 
selves  to  the  company;  and  the  highest  enthusiasm  prevailed 
among  all  classes  of  people,  in  favour  of  rendering  the  settle- 
ment permanent  and  effective.  Lord  Delaware  was  consti- 
tuted governor  and  captain-general  for  life,  with  a  retinue  of 
officers  and  attendants,  which  would  have  been  more  suitable 
for  a  viceroy  of  Mexico,  at  a  much  later  period  of  history. 

Nine  ships  and  five  hundred  emigrants  were  soon  ready  foi 
departure ;  and  the  expedition  was  placed  under  the  direction 
of  Captain  Newport ;  who,  with  Sir  Thomas  Gates  and  Sir 
George  Somers,  was  empowered  to  supersede  the  existing 
administration,  and  govern  the  colony  till  the  arrival  of  Lord 
Delaware. 

These  three  gentlemen  embarked  in  the  same  vessel,  which 
was  parted  from  the  rest  of  the  fleet  and  driven  on  Bermudas 
in  a  storm ;  having  on  board  not  only  the  appointed  directors 
of  the  colony,  but  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  a  great  portion 
of  the  provisions,  and  the  new  commission  and  instructions 
of  the  council.  The  rest  of  the  fleet  arrived  safely  in  Virginia. 

'A  great  part  of  the  new  company,'  according  to  the  au- 
thority of  an  old  writer, '  consisted  of  unruly  sparks,  packed  off 
by  their  friends  to  escape  worse  destinies  at  home.  And  the 
rest  were  chiefly  made  up  of  poor  gentlemen,  broken  trades- 
men, footmen,  and  such  as  were  much  fitter  to  spoil  and  ruin 


What    persons  were  added  to    the 


company 


What  was  its  name  ? 
Who  was  governor  ? 
Who  were  to  govern  in  his  absence  ? 


How  many  emigrants  came  over  ? 
What  befell  the  deputy  governors 
Who  arrived  safely  ? 
What  was  the  character  of  the  new 
emigrants  ? 


44 


CAPTAIN    SMITH    LEAVES    VIRGINIA. 


a  commonwealth  than  to  help  to  raise  or  maintain  one. 
They  were  led  by  their  seditious  captains  into  many  mischiefs 
and  extravagances.  They  assumed  to  themselves  the  power 
of  disposing  of  the  government ;  and  conferred  it  sometimes  on 
one,  and  sometimes  on  another.  To-day  the  old  commission 
must  rule,  to-morrow  the  new,  and  next  day  neither.  So  that 
all  was  anarchy  and  distraction.' 

These  disorders  were  speedily  repressed  by  the  energy  and 
decision  of  Captain  Smith.  He  declared,  very  justly,  that  his 
own  authority  could  only  terminate  with  the  arrival  of  the  new 
commission,  and  he  therefore  resolved  to  continue  its  exercise. 
He  imprisoned  the  most  active  of  the  seditious  leaders,  and,  to 
rid  Jamestown  of  the  turbulent  rabble  with  which  it  was  crowd- 
ed, he  detached  one  hundred  men  to  the  falls  of  James  river, 
under  the  command  of  West,  and  as  many  more  to  Nanse- 
mond,  under  that  of  Martin.  These  settlers  soon  incurred  the 
hostility  of  the  Indians,  and  were  obliged  to  apply  to  Smith 
for  assistance.  Of  course  it  was  promptly  rendered.  On  his 
return  from  one  of  his  visits  to  the  settlement  at  the  falls,  he 
was  so  severely  wounded  by  an  explosion  of  gunpowder,  as 
to  render  it  necessary  for  him  to  proceed  to  England  for  sur- 
gical aid. 

At  his  departure  the  colony  consisted  of  about  five  hundred 
people.  They  possessed  three  ships  and  seven  boats,  com- 
modities suitable  for  the  Indian  trade,  provisions  for  several 
weeks,  an  abundance  of  domestic  animals,  fanning  utensils, 
and  fishing  nets,  one  hundred  disciplined  soldiers,  and  twenty- 
four  pieces  of  ordnance,  with  small  arms  and  ammunition. 

This  provision  was  every  way  adequate  for  support  and 
defence,  had  the  prudent  administration  of  Captain  Smith 
continued ;  but  with  him  departed  the  fair  prospects  of  the 
colony.  The  licentious  spirits,  who  had  only  been  restrained 
by  his  energy,  now  rioted  without  controul.  Captain  Percy, 
who  succeeded  him,  was  by  no  means  equal  to  the  task  of 
governing  so  turbulent  a  community,  and  anarchy  soon  pre 
vailed. 

The  Indians,  no  longer  restrained  by  the  presence  of  Smith, 
became  hostile.  They  attacked  the  settlements  of  West  and 
Martin,  and  compelled  them,  after  losing  their  boats  and  half 
their  men,  to  take  refuge  in  Jamestown.  The  provisions  of 


What  was  their  behaviour  ? 
How  did  Captain  Smith  repress  dis- 
orders ? 

What  befell  him  ? 
Whither  did  he  retire  ? 


In  what  state  did  he  leave  the  co- 
lony ? 

What  ensued  on  Smith's  departure  ? 

What  misfortunes  were  the  conse- 
quence of  this  bad  conduct  ? 


THE    STARVING   TIME.  45 

the  colony  were  exhausted;  and  famine  ensued,  witL  its  at- 
tendant horrors  and  crimes.  This  was  the  most  trying  period 
in  the  history  of  the  colony,  and  was  for  many  years  after 
distinguished  by  the  name  of  The  Starving  Time. 

Contrasted  with  that  of  the  administration  of  Smith,  the 
history  of  this  season  conveys  a  most  impressive  lesson.  It 
shows  us  that  no  abundance  of  resources  can  supply  the  place 
of  prudence  in  the  management  of  affairs;  and  that  a  large 
supply  of  provisions,  arms,  and  soldiers  are  not  so  essential 
to  the  preservation  and  welfare  of  a  community  as  a  wise  and 
efficient  government.  The  commanding  genius  of  Smith  had 
done  more  for  the  establishment  and  continuance  of  the  colony 
than  the  exertions  of  all  the  other  adventurers.  But  he  fought 
and  toiled  only  for  the  community. 

'  Extreme  suffering  from  his  wounds,  and  the  ingratitude 
of  his  employers,'  says  Mr.  Bancroft,  '  were  the  fruits  of 
his  services.  He  received,  for  his  sacrifices  and  his  perilous 
exertions,  not  one  foot  of  land,  not  the  house  he  himself  had 
built,  not  the  field  his  own  hands  had  planted,  nor  any  reward 
but  the  applause  of  his  conscience  and  the  world.  He  merits 
to  be  called  the  father  of  the  settlement,  which  he  had  re- 
peatedly rescued  from  destruction.  His  judgment  had  ever 
been  clear  in  the  midst  of  general  despondency.  He  united 
the  highest  spirit  of  adventure  with  consummate  powers  of 
action.  His  courage  and  self-possession  accomplished  what 
others  esteemed  desperate.  Fruitful  in  expedients,  he  was 
prompt  in  execution.  Though  he  had  been  harassed  by  the 
persecutions  of  malignant  envy,  he  never  revived  the  memory 
of  the  faults  of  his  enemies.  He  was  accustomed  to  lead,  not 
to  send  his  men  to  danger;  would  suffer  want  rather  than 
borrow,  and  starve  sooner  than  not  pay.  He  had  nothing 
counterfeit  in  his  nature  ;  but  was  open,  honest,  and  sincere. 
He  clearly  discerned  that  it  was  the  true  interest  of  England 
not  to  seek  in  Virginia  for  gold  and  sudden  wealth,  but  to 
enforce  regular  industry.  "  Nothing,"  said  he,  "  is  to  be 
expected  thence,  but  by  labour." 

In  six  months  after  the  departure  of  Smith,  the  colony 
was  reduced  by  various  distresses  to  sixty  persons,  who 
would  soon  have  perished,  but  for  the  arrival  of  Sir  Thomas 
Gates,  Sir  George  Somers,  and  Captain  Newport,  from  Ber- 
muda, (May  24,  1610.)  All  determined  to  abandon  the  coun- 


What   lesson   is  conveyed  by  these 
facts  ? 


To  what  number  was  the  colony  re 
duced 


'Vbat  was  Captain  Smith's  character  ••    What  did  they  resolve  to  do  ? 


46 


ARRIVAL    OF    LORD    DELAWARE. 


try,  and  they  accordingly  embarked  on  board  the  vessel'  jiid 
sailed  for  England.  As  they  drew  near  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  they  were  met  by  the  long-boat  of  Lord  Delaware,  who 
had  arrived  on  the  coast,  with  a  reinforcement  of  emigrants, 
and  abundant  supplies  of  provisions.  They  immediately 
returned  to  Jamestown,  and  were  prevailed  on  by  Lord  Dela 
ware  to  remain. 

This  nobleman  was  well  qualified  for  his  station.  His 
mildness,  dignity,  and  diligent  attention  to  business,  soon 
restored  order,  and  inspired  confidence.  The  colonists  were 
regular  and  industrious  ;  and  the  Indians  were  taught  once 
more  to  respect  the  English  character. 

His  wise  administration  was  of  short  continuance.  Ill 
health  compelled  him  to  relinquish  the  government ;  and 
having  resigned  his  authority  to  Mr.  Percy,  he  sailed  for  the 
West  Indies.  Although  he  left  the  colony  in  a  flourishing 
state,  yet,  on  the  10th  of  May,  1611,  when  Sir  Thomas  Dale, 
the  new  governor,  arrived  with  a  fresh  supply  of  men  and 
provisions,  he  found  it  relapsing  into  its  former  state  of  idle- 
ness, disorder,  and  want.  He  was  obliged  to  resort  to  the 
declaration  of  martial  law  in  order  to  save  the  settlement  from 
utter  anarchy  and  ruin. 

In  the  month  of  August,  1611,  Sir  Thomas  Gates,  who 
had  been  appointed  the  successor  of  Sir  Thomas  Dale,  arrived 
with  six  ships,  three  hundred  emigrants,  and  a  plentiful  sup- 
ply of  provisions.  On  receiving  this  reinforcement,  which 
increased  the  numbers  of  the  colony  to  seven  hundred,  de- 
lachments  were  again  sent  up  the  James  river,  and  several 
new  settlements  were  made. 

A  more  important  change  took  place  in  the  new  arrange- 
ments with  respect  to  property.  Hitherto  the  land  had  been 
possessed  by  all  the  colonists  in  common.  Every  man  was 
required  to  work  a  certain  number  of  hours  in  the  day,  and 
all  shared  equally  the  produce.  Now  a  few  acres  of  ground 
were  assigned  to  each  man,  as  his  private  property,  to  plant 
as  an  orchard  or  garden  for  his  own  use,  though  some  labour 
was  still  devoted  to  fill  the  public  stores.  This  new  regula- 
tion gave  a  powerful  impulse  to  industry  and  enterprise ;  and 


How  was  this  prevented  .' 
Whavwas  Lord  Delaware's  character? 
How  did  he  govern  .' 
Who  succeeded  him  ? 
Who  superseded  Percy  ? 
Whai  obliged  him  to  declare  martial 
law? 


Who  succeeded  Dale  ? 

When  did  Gates  arrive  ? 

What  reinforcement  did  he 

What  new  regulation  of  prone  ty  wa» 

made  ? 
What  was  its  effect  ? 


MARRIAGE    OF    POCAHONTAS. 


47 


the  best  effects  were  soon  perceived  to  flow  from  assigning 
to  each  individual  the  fruits  of  his  own  labour.  Industry, 
impelled  by  the  certainty  of  recompense,  advanced  with  rapid 
strides  ;  and  the  inhabitants  were  no  longer  in  fear  of  wanting 
bread,  either  for  themselves  or  for  the  emigrants  from  Eng- 
land. 

In  consequence  of  the  extravagant  accounts  which  had  been 
sent  to  England  of  the  fertility  of  Bermudas,  the  company 
became  anxious  to  include  it  within  the  colony ;  and  accord- 
ingly a  new  patent  was  issued  comprehending  this  island. 
This  was  a  matter  of  trifling  importance,  as  the  connexion 
soon  ceased  ;  but  the  new  patent  conferred  new  civil  rights  ; 
it  established  four  general  courts,  comprising  all  the  members 
of  the  London  corporation,  to  be  assembled  annually,  at  which 
all  officers  should  be  elected,  and  all  laws  passed  relating  to 
the  government,  commerce,  and  real  estate  of  the  colony. 
Weekly  or  more  frequent  meetings  might  be  convened  for  the 
transaction  of  ordinary  business.  This  change,  of  course, 
ave  no  political  power  to  the  colonists  themselves. 

Lotteries,  the  first  ever  drawn  in  England,  were  granted  for 
the  benefit  of  the  colony.  They  brought  twenty-nine  thou- 
sand pounds  into  the  treasury  of  the  company ;  but  were  soon 
abolished  as  a  public  evil. 

About  this  time  (1614)  an  event  took  place  which  has 
always  been  regarded  with  great  interest  by  the  Virginians. 
This  was  the  marriage  of  Pocahontas.  The  circumstances 
which  led  to  it  were  these :  A  party  from  Jamestown,  headed 
by  Argall,  went  with  two  vessels  round  to  the  Potomac  for  a 
cargo  of  corn.  While  obtaining  the  cargo,  Argall  managed 
to  decoy  Pocahontas  on  board  his  vessel,  where  she  was  de- 
tained respectfully,  and  brought  to  Jamestown.  By  keeping 
possession  of  his  favourite  child  as  a  hostage,  the  English 
hoped  to  dictate  to  Powhatan  what  terms  of  alliance  or  sub- 
mission they  pleased.  In  this  they  were  disappointed. 
'  Powhatan,'  says  Marshall,  '  offered  corn  and  friendship,  if 
they  would  restore  his  daughter,  but  with  a  loftiness  of  spirit 
which  claims  respect,  rejected  every  proposition  for  concilia- 
tion which  should  not  be  preceded  by  that  act  of  reparation. 

While  she  was  detained  at  Jamestown,  Mr.  John  Rolfe,  a 
young  Englishman,  gained  the  favour  of  the  princess,  and 


What  caused  the  granting  of  a  new 
patent  to  the  Virginia  company  ? 

What  new  rights  did  it  grant  ? 

For  what  purpose  were  lotteries  first 
established  in  England  ? 


Why  were  they  established  ? 
What  event  took  place  in  1614  ? 
How  did  it  happen  ? 
Who  was  Pocahontas's  husband  ? 


48 


TOBACCO    FIRST    CULTIVATED    IN    VIRGINIA. 


desired  her  in  marriage.  Powhatan  consented,  and  with  his 
daughter  the  noble-spirited  prince  gave  his  heart.  He  was 
ever  after  the  firm  and  sincere  friend  of  the  colony.  The 
powerful  tribe  of  the  Chickahominies  also  'sought  the  friend- 
ship of  the  English,  and  demanded  to  be  called  English- 
men.' 

Though  the  marriage  of  Pocahontas  was  hailed  as  an 
auspicious  event  at  the  time,  and  has  always  been  celebrated 
in  the  annals  of  the  colony,  it  never  operated  as  an  example. 
The  English  and  Indians  would  not  intermarry,  and  the  races 
have  always  remained  distinct. 

It  was  in  1613  that  the  famous  expedition  of  Argall  took 
place,  which  seems  to  have  been  prompted  by  a  determina- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  English  to  assert  their  claim  to  the 
whole  coast  of  America  north  of  Virginia.  In  a  time  of  pro- 
found peace,  Argall  sailed  from  Jamestown  to  Acadia,  (Nova 
Scotia,)  and  surprised  the  small  colony  at  Port  Royal  on  the 
bay  of  Fundy.  This  was  the  oldest  French  settlement  in 
North  America,  having  been  founded,  as  we  have  already 
observed,  in  1605.  He  found  the  inhabitants  engaged  iu 
their  peaceful  occupations,  and  in  amity  wilh  the  natives 
They  were,  of  course,  totally  unprepared  for  defence,  and 
could  not  prevent  Argall  from  seizing  the  ships  and  plunder- 
ing the  colony.  This  was  the  first  act  of  aggression  ;  which 
was  followed  by  a  series  of  disputes  between  France  and 
England  for  the  possession  of  the  Ameiican  soil.  After 
Argall  had  sailed,  the  French  returned  to  their  settlement. 

Argall,  on  his  return,  went  into  New  York,  then  called 
New  Amsterdam,  where  the  Dutch  had  established  a  small 
colony,  and  by  a  show  of  superior  force  compelled  the  Dutch 
governor  to  submit  '  himself  and  his  colony  to  the  King  of 
England,  and  the  governor  of  Virginia  under  him,'  and  to 
consent  to  the  payment  of  a  tribute.  Argall  then  returned  to 
Jamestown.  The  tribute  and  homage,  however,  were  both 
refused  when  a  new  governor  had  arrived  from  Holland  with 
better  means  of  defence. 

The  culture  of  tobacco  was  now,  for  the  first  time,  becom- 
ing an  object  of  attention.  Although  the  use  of  it  was 
strongly  opposed  by  the  company,  and  by  King  James  I, 
who  went  so  far  as  to  write  a  book  against  it ;  and  although 
the  effects  of  it  were  always  unpleasant,  at  first,  to  persons 
not  accustomed  to  it,  tobacco  has  surmounted  all  opposition, 


Was  Mr.  Rolfe's  example  followed  ? 
WTien  did  Argyll's  expedition  take 
plate  f 


What  did  he  accomplish  in  Acadia  ? 

Tn  New  York  ? 

What  is  said  of  tobacco  ' 


TYRANNY    OF    AKGALL.  49 

and  become  a  regular  article  of  commerce  and  consumption 
throughout  the  world. 

In  1614,  Sir  Thomas  Gates  had  been  succeeded  by  Sir 
Thomas  Dale,  who  sailed  for  England  in  1616,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Mr.  George  Yeardley.  His  term  of  office  lasted 
but  one  year,  and  he  was  then  succeeded  by  Captain  Argall, 
an  able,  but  avaricious  and  tyrannical  governor.  He  conti- 
nued martial  law  in  time  of  peace ;  and,  having  sentenced 
Mr.  Brewster  to  death  for  contumely,  gave  occasion  to  the 
first  appeal  ever  made  from  America  to  England.  It  came 
before  the  London  company,  by  whom  the  sentence  of  Argal 
was  reversed. 

The  following  extract  from  Judge  Marshall's  history  shows 
the  arbitrary  and  vexatious  nature  of  the  laws  which  this 
governor  enforced  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet : 

'  While  martial  law  was,  according  to  Stith,  the  common 
law  of  the  land,  the  governor  seems  to  have  been  the  sole 
legislator.  His  general  edicts  mark  the  severity  of  his  rule. 
He  ordered  that  merchandise  should  be  sold  at  an  advance  of 
twenty-five  per  centum,  and  tobacco  taken  in  payment  at  the 
rate  of  three  shillings  per  pound,  under  the  penalty  of  three 
years'  servitude  to  the  company  ;  that  no  person  should  traffic 
privately  with  the  Indians,  or  teach  them  the  use  of  fire-arms, 
under  pain  of  death  ;  that  no  person  should  hunt  deer  or  hogs 
without  the  governor's  permission  ;  that  no  man  should  shoot, 
unless  in  his  own  necessary  defence,  until  a  new  supply  of 
ammunition  should  arrive,  on  pain  of  a  year's  personal  ser- 
vice ;  that  none  should  go  on  board  the  ships  at  Jamestown 
without  the  governor's  leave  ;  that  every  person  should  go  to 
church  on  Sundays  and  holidays,  under  the  penalty  of  slavery 
during  the  following  week  for  the  first  offence,  during  a  month 
for  the  second,  and  during  a  year  and  a  day  for  the  third. 
The  rigour  of  this  administration  necessarily  exciting  much 
discontent,  the  complaints  of  the  Virginians  at  length  made 
their  way  to  the  company.  Lord  Delaware  being  dead,  Mr 
Yeardley  was  appointed  captain-general,  with  instructions  to 
examine  the  wrongs  of  the  colonists,  and  to  redress  them  * 


Who  became  governor  in  1616  ?          I  How  did  he  govern  ? 

Who  was  his  successor  ?  |  By  whom  was  he  superseded  ? 


50 


VIRGINIA    ACQUIRES    CIVIL    FREEDOM. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


VIRGINIA    ACQUIRES   CIVIL    FREEDOM. 

THE  new  governor  arrived  in  April,  1619 ;  and  began  his 
administration  by  granting  privileges  of  great  importance  to 
the  colonists.  He  abolished  the  practice  of  labouring  for 
the  common  stock  of  the  colony,  a  most  inconvenient  and 
onerous  method  of  raising  a  revenue  ;  he  confirmed  the  early 
planters  in  the  possession  of  their  estates ;  he  removed  the 
burdens  imposed  by  the  tyrannical  Argall ;  and  he  abolished 
martial  law. 

By  order  of  the  London  company,  the  power  of  the  go- 
vernor was  limited  by  a  council,  which  acquired  the  right  to 
redress  any  wrongs  which  he  might  commit.  Last  and 
greatest  of  all,  the  people  of  the  colony  were  admitted  to 
a  share  in  legislation  by  the  institution  of  a  COLONIAL  AS- 
SEMBLY. 

The  first  colonial  assembly  ever  convened  in  America, 
assembled  at  Jamestown  on  the  19th  of  June,  1619.  This 
may,  therefore,  be  considered  the  birth-day  of  civil  freedom 
in  our  country. 

The  members  were  elected  by  the  different  boroughs,  and 
the  representative  or  popular  branch  of  the  legislature  was, 
therefore,  called  the  house  of  burgesses,  a  name  which  it 
retained  so  long  as  Virginia  remained  a  colony  of  England. 

The  entire  legislature  or  assembly,  composed  of  the  go- 
vernor, the  council,  and  the  burgesses,  met  together  in  one 
apartment,  and  there  transacted  the  public  business  of  the 
colony.  The  laws  which  they  then  enacted  were  sent  to 
England  for  the  approbation  of  the  London  company. 

Hitherto  but  a  small  number  of  females  had  emigrated  to 
Virginia.  The  colonists,  therefore,  could  hardly  be  said  to 
have  their  home  in  the  country.  Those  domestic  ties,  which 
attach  men  most  firmly  to  the  soil  they  inhabit,  did  not  exist ; 
and  each  man  directed  his  thoughts  towards  the  mother  coun- 
try as  the  retreat  of  his  old  age.  A  new  state  of  things  now 
ensued  by  the  arrival  of  a  large  number  of  females,  ninety 


Wnat  new  privileges  did  Yeardley 

grant? 
What  was  ordered  by  .ue  London 

company  ? 
What  waj  the  greatest  of  all  ? 


When  did  the  first  colonial  assembly 

meet  ? 

How  were  the  members  elected  ? 
Who  sanctioned  their  laws  ? 
What  gave  the  Virginians  hornet  ? 


THE    VIRGINIANS    ACQUIRE    CIVIL    FREEDOM. 


51 


of  whom  were  sent  out  from  England  in  1620,  and  sixty 
more  the-next  year.  Being  persons  of  irreproachable  charac- 
ter, they  were  married  by  the  planters ;  and  the  colony  thus 
acquired  the  best  of  all  guarantees  of  permanence  in  its  insti- 
tutions and  patriotism  in  its  citizens. 

The  necessity  of  establishing  seminaries  of  learning  was 
now  apparent,  and  preparations  were  made  for  founding  the 
college  afterwards  established  by  William  and  Mary. 

About  the  same  time  one  hundred  convicts  were  trans- 
ported from  England  to  Virginia,  being  the  first  persons  of 
this  class  sent  to  America  by  order  of  the  government.  Re- 
moved from  the  temptations  which  had  been  too  strong  for 
their  virtue  at  home,  and  placed  in  a  new  scene  of  action, 
many  of  them  became  honest  men  and  useful  citizens. 

The  colonial  assembly  convened  by  Sir  George  Yeardley 
had  not  yet  received  the  express  sanction  of  the  London 
company.  This  was  granted  July  24th,  1621,  oy  an  ordi- 
nance which  may  be  considered  as  the  written  constitution 
of  the  colony.  It  was  the  model  on  which,  with  some 
modifications,  the  political  systems  of  the  other  colonies  were 
founded.  It  provided  for  the  appointment  of  a  governor  and 
a  permanent  council  by  the  company ;  it  ordained  a  general 
assembly,  consisting  of  this  council,  and  two  burgesses  from 
each  borough  to  be  elected  by  the  people,  with  power  to 
enact  laws  subject  to  the  veto  of  the  governor  and  the  ratifica- 
tion of  the  company  in  England.  Orders  of  the  court  in 
London  were  not  to  be  binding  on  the  colony  unless  ratified 
by  the  general  assembly — a  very  important  concession.  The 
trial  by  jury,  and  the  other  judicial  rights  of  Englishmen, 
were  also  granted  to  the  colonists.  This  constitution  was 
brought  over  by  Sir  Francis  Wyatt,  who  had  been  appointed 
to  succeed  governor  Yeardley. 

Thus  the  Virginians  had  acquired  civil  freedom.  The 
rights,  secured  by  this,  their  fourth  charter,  were  sufficient  to 
form  the  basis  of  complete  political  liberty.  Representative 
government  and  trial  by  jury  are  justly  regarded  as  the  ele- 
ments of  freedom ;  and  when  a  community  has  acquired 
these,  its  future  destinies  depend,  in  great,  measure,  on  the 
virtue,  intelligence,  and  patriotism  of  its  citizens. 


What  provision  for  education  was 
made  ? 

What  new  species  of  population  ar- 
rived ? 

When  were  colonial  assemblies  sanc- 
tioned by  the  London  company  ? 


What  were  the  provisions  of  the  ordi- 
nance ? 

Who  succeeded  Yeardley  ? 

What  had  the  Virginians  now  ac- 
quired ? 


52  THE    INDIANS. 

The  year  1620,  so  fruitful  in  interesting  events,  was  marked 
by  one  which  will  long  exert  a  momentous  influence  on  our 
destinies.  This  was  the  introduction  of  negro  slavery.  The 
commerce  of  Virginia,  which  had  before  been  entirely  mono- 
polised by  the  London  company,  was  now  thrown  open  to 
free  competition;  and  in  the  month  of  August,  a  Dutch  man 
of  war  sailed  up  the  James  river,  and  landed  twenty  negroes, 
for  the  purpose  of  having  them  sold  into  slavery.  Although 
domestic  slavery  was  thus  introduced  into  the  colony,  its 
increase  was  very  slow ;  the  traffic  in  slaves  was  almost 
entirely  confined  to  the  Dutch ;  and  laws  of  the  colony  dis- 
couraged its  progress  by  taxation. 

At  this  period  the  colony  was  in  a  highly  flourishing  state. 
The  inhabitants  enjoyed  civil  rights,  free  commerce,  peace, 
and  domestic  happiness.  The  cultivation  of  tobacco  and 
cotton,  hereafter  to  become  so  important  to  the  southern 
country,  had  already  been  introduced ;  and  the  Indians,  their 
most  powerful  neighbours,  were  their  friends  and  allies. 
Indeed  they  had  never  regarded  the  Indians  with  much  ap- 
prehension. They  were  not  supposed  to  be  very  numerous ; 
only  five  thousand  souls  or  fifteen  hundred  warriors  being 
found  within  sixty  miles  of  Jamestown ;  and  the  use  of  fire- 
arms by  the  English  had  enabled  fifteen  of  them,  headed  by 
Smith,  to  put  to  flight  seven  hundred  of  the  savages.  They 
were  therefore  regarded  with  contempt;  and  no  care  was 
taken  to  preserve  their  friendship,  or  guard  against  their 
enmity.  A  law,  which  had  made  it  penal  to  instruct  them  in 
the  use  of  fire-arms,  had  become  a  dead  letter. 

Security  is  too  often  the  parent  of  danger.  In  the  present 
instance,  it  was  the  cause  of  a  terrible  calamity.  The  Indians 
had  secretly  become  hostile  to  the  colonists.  Powhatan,  the 
old  king,  had  died  in  1618;  and  his  son,  Oppaconcanough, 
did  not  inherit  the  friendly  dispositions  of  his  father.  A 
deliberate  plan  was  concerted  for  annihilating  the  colony  at  a 
blow,  and  it  nearly  succeeded. 

The  story  is  thus  told  by  an  old  writer : 

'  Upon  the  loss  of  one  of  their  leading  men,  (a  war  captain, 
as  they  call  him,)  who  was  supposed  to  be  justly  put  to  death, 
however,  their  king,  Oppaconcanough,  appeared  enraged,  and 
in  revenge  laid  the  plot  of  a  general  massacre  of  the  English 


How    was    slavery  introduced  into 

Virginia  ? 

Did  it  increase  rapidly  ? 
Was  it  encouraged  .' 
What  was  the  state  of  the  colony  ? 


What  is  said  of  the  Indians  ? 
Of  a  law  concerning  them  ? 
What  was  their  disposition  ? 
What  plan  did  they  form  ? 


THE    GREAT    MASSACRE.  53 

to  be  executed  on  the  22d  of  March,  1622,  a  little  before 
roon,  at  a  time  when  our  men  were  all  at  work  abroad  in 
their  plantations,  dispersed  and  unarmed.  This  conspiracy 
was  to  have  taken  effect  upon  all  the  several  settlements  at 
one  and  the  same  instant,  except  on  the  eastern  shore,  whither 
this  plot  did  not  reach.  The  Indians  had  been  made  so 
familiar  with  the  English  as  to  borrow  their  boats  and  canoes 
to  cross  the  river,  when  they  went  to  consult  with  their 
neighbouring  Indians  upon  this  execrable  conspiracy ;  and  to 
colour  their  designs  the  better,  they  brought  presents  of  deer, 
turkeys,  fish,  and  fruits,  to  the  English,  the  evening  before. 
The  very  morning  of  the  massacre,  they  came  freely  and 
unarmed  among  them,  eating  with  them,  and  behaving  them- 
selves with  the  same  freedom  and  friendship  as  formerly,  till 
the  very  minute  they  were  to  put  their  plot  in  execution  ; 
then  they  fell  to  work  all  at  once,  every  where  surprising  and 
knocking  the  English  on  the  head,  some  with  their  hatchets, 
which  they  call  tomakawks,  others  with  the  hoes  and  axes  of 
the  English  themselves,  shooting  at  those  who  escaped  the 
reach  of  their  hands  ;  sparing  neither  age  nor  sex,  but  de- 
stroying man,  woman,  and  child,  according  to  their  cruel  way 
of  leaving  none  behind  to  resent  the  outrage.  But  whatever 
was  not  done  by  surprise  that  day,  was  left  undone,  and  many 
that  made  early  resistance  escaped. 

'  By  the  account  taken  of  the  Christians  murdered  that 
morning,  they  were  found  to  be  three  hundred  and  forty- 
seven,  most  of  them  falling  by  their  own  instruments  and 
working  tools. 

'  The  massacre  had  been  much  more  general  had  not  this 
plot  been  providentially  discovered  to  the  English  some  hours 
before  the  execution.  It  happened  thus  : — 

'  Two  Indians,  that  used  to  be  employed  by  the  English  to 
hunt  for  them,  happened  to  lie  together  the  night  before  the 
massacre  in  an  Englishman's  house,  where  one  of  them  was 
employed.  The  Indian  that  was  the  guest,  fell  to  persuading 
the  other  to  rise  and  kill  his  master,  telling  him  that  he  would 
do  the  same  by  his  own  the  next  day  ;  whereupon  he  dis- 
covered the  whole  plot  that  was  designed  to  be  executed  on 
the  morrow.  But  the  other,  instead  of  entering  into  the  plot 
and  murdering  his  master,  got  up,  (under  pretence  of  going 
to  execute  his  comrade's  advice,)  went  into  his  master's 
chamber  and  revealed  to  him  the  whole  story  that  he  had 
been  told.  The  master  hereupon  arose,  secured  his  own 


How  was  it  executed  ?  |  What  prevented  its  complete  SUCMH  » 

5* 


54  THE    GREAT    MASSACRE. 

house,  and  before  day  got  to  Jamestown,  which,  together 
with  such  plantations  as  could  receive  notice  time  enough, 
were  saved  by  this  means ;  the  rest,  also,  who  happened  to 
be  watchful  in  their  defence,  escaped.  Captain  Croshaw,  in 
his  vessel  at  Pawtomack,  had  notice  given  him  by  a  young 
Indian,  by  which  means  he  came  off  untouched. 

'  The  occasion  of  Oppaconcanough's  furious  resentment 
was  this  :  The  war  captain,  mentioned  before  to  have  been 
killed,  was  called  Nemattanow.  He  was  an  active  Indian,  a 
great  warrior,  and  in  much  esteem  among  them  ;  insomuch 
that  they  believed  him  to  be  invulnerable  and  immortal, 
because  he  had  been  in  many  conflicts,  and  escaped  untouched 
from  them  all.  '  He  was  also  a  very  cunning  fellow,  and  took 
great  pride  in  preserving  and  increasing  this  their  superstition 
concerning  him ;  affecting  every  thing  that  was  odd  and 
prodigious  to  work  upon  their  admiration  :  for  which  purpose 
he  would  often  dress  himself  up  with  feathers,  after  a  fantastic 
manner,  and  by  much  use  of  that  ornament,  obtained  among 
the  English  the  nickname  of  Jack  of  the  Feather. 

'  This  Nemattanow,  coming  to  a  private  settlement  of  one 
Morgan,  who  had  several  toys,  he  had  a  mind  to  persuade 
him  to  go  to  Pamunky  to  dispose  of  them.  He  gave  him 
hopes  what  mighty  bargains  he  might  meet  with  there,  and 
kindly  offered  him  his  assistance.  At  last  Morgan  yielded  to 
his  persuasion,  but  was  no  more  heard  of;  and  it  is  believed 
that  Nemattanow  killed  him  by  the  way,  and  took  away  his 
treasure  ;  for,  within  a  few  days,  this  Nemattanow  returned 
to  the  same  house  with  Morgan's  cap  upon  his  head,  where 
he  found  two  sturdy  boys,  who  asked  for  their  master,  and 
would  have  had  him  before  a  justice  of  the  peace,  but  he 
refused  to  go,  and  very  insolently  abused  them  ;  whereupon 
they  shot  him  down,  and  as  they  were  carrying  him  to  the 
governor,  he  died. 

'  As  he  was  dying,  he  earnestly  pressed  the  boys  to  promise 
him  two  things  :  1st,  that  they  would  not  tell  how  he  was 
killed ;  and,  2dly,  that  they  would  bury  hini  among  the 
English.  So  great  was  the  pride  of  this  vain  infidel,  that  he 
had  no  other  views  but  the  being  esteemed  after  his  death  (as 
he  had  endeavoured  to  be  while  he  was  alive)  invulnerable 
and  immortal,  though  his  increasing  faintness  sufficiently  con 
vinced  him  of  the  falsity  of  both.  He  imagined,  that  being 
buried  among  the  English,  perhaps,  might  conceal  his  death 
from  his  own  nation,  who  might  think  him  translated  to  some 

What  was  the  cause  a*  the  Indian  king's  hostility  ? 


INDIAN   WAR.  55 

nappier  country.  Thus  he  pleased  himself  to  the  last  gasp 
with  the  boys'  promises  to  carry  on  the  delusion.  The 
killing  this  Indian  champion  was  all  the  provocation  given  to 
that  haughty  and  revengeful  man,  Oppaconcanough,  to  act 
this  bloody  tragedy,  and  to  take  such  indefatigable  pains  to 
engage  in  such  horrid  villany  all  the  kings  and  nations  bor- 
dering upon  the  English  settlement  on  the  western  shore  of 
Chesapeake.' 

The  effects  of  this  massacre  were  highly  disastrous  to  the 
colony.  It  restricted  the  pursuits  of  agriculture,  and  occa- 
sioned the  abandonment  of  most  of  the  settlements,  so  that 
from  eighty  they  were  reduced  to  six  or  seven  in  number. 
Sickness  was  the  consequence  of  crowding  many  people  into 
a  few  small  settlements,  and  some  of  the  colonists  were  so  far 
discouraged  as  to  return  to  England. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

INDIAN    WAR — DISSOLUTION   OF    THE    LONDON    COMPANY. 

THIS  treachery  of  the  Indians  was  terribly  revenged.  The 
whole  people  were  intent  on  the  means  of  destroying  so 
merciless  an  enemy.  The  men  took  arms.  A  war  of  exter- 
mination was  commenced  against  the  Indians,  in  which 
neither  old  nor  young  were  spared.  That  elegant  historian, 
Dr.  Robertson,  thus  describes  this  relentless  war : 

'  The  conduct  of  the  Spaniards,  in  the  southern  regions  of 
America,  was  openly  proposed  as  the  most  proper  model  to 
imitate ;  and  regardless,  like  them,  of  those  principles  of 
faith,  honour,  and  humanity,  which  regulate  hostility  among 
civilised  nations,  and  set  bounds  to  its  rage,  the  English 
deemed  every  thing  allowable  that  tended  to  accomplish  their 
design.  They  hunted  the  Indians  like  wild  beasts  rather 
than  enemies ;  and  as  the  pursuit  of  them  to  their  places  of 
retreat  in  the  woods,  which  covered  their  country,  was  both 
difficult  and  dangerous,  they  endeavoured  to  allure  them  from 
their  inaccessible  fastness  by  offers  of  peace  and  promises  of 
oblivion,  made  with  such  an  artful  appearance  of  sincerity  as 
deceived  their  crafty  leader,  and  induced  them  to  return  to 


To  what  number  were  the  settle-  I  How  was  the  treachery  of  the  Indians 
ments  reduced  ?  revenged  ? 


56 


DISSOLUTION    OF    THE    LONDON    COMPANY. 


their  former  settlements,  and  resume  their  usual  peaceful 
occupations.  (1623.)  The  behaviour  of  the  two  people 
seemed  now  to  be  perfectly  reversed.  The  Indians,  like 
men  acquainted  with  the  principles  of  integrity  and  good 
faith,  on  which  the  intercourse  between  nations  is  founded, 
confided  in  the  reconciliation,  and  lived  in  absolute  security 
without  suspicion  of  danger ;  while  the  English,  with  perfidious 
craft,  were  preparing  to  imitate  savages  in  their  revenge  and 
cruelty.  On  the  approach  of  harvest,  when  they  knew  a 
hostile  attack  would  be  most  formidable  and  fatal,  they  fell 
suddenly  upon  all  the  Indian  plantations,  murdered  every 
person  on  whom  they  could  lay  hold,  and  drove  the  rest  to 
the  woods,  where  so  many  perished  with  hunger,  that  some 
of  the  tribes  nearest  to  the  English  were  totally  extirpated. 
This  atrocious  deed,  which  the  perpetrators  laboured  to 
represent  as  a  necessary  act  of  retaliation,  was  followed  by 
some  happy  effects.  It  delivered  the  colony  so  entirely  from 
any  dread  of  the  Indians,  that  its  settlements  began  again  to 
extend,  and  its  industry  to  revive.' 

While  these  events  were  passing  in  Virginia,  the  London 
company  was  rapidly  hastening  towards  its  final  dissolution 
This  body  had  become  quite  numerous,  and  its  meetings  fur- 
nished occasion  for  discussions  on  government  and  legislation, 
which  were  by  no  means  pleasing  to  so  arbitrary  a  sovereign 
as  King  James  I.  Having  sought  in  vain  to  give  the  court 
party  the  ascendency  in  the  company,  he  began  to  charge  the 
disasters  and  the  want  of  commercial  success  in  the  colony  to 
the  mismanagement  of  the  corporation. 

Commissioners  were  appointed  by  the  privy  council  to  in- 
quire into  the  affairs  of  Virginia  from  its  earliest  settlement. 
These  commissioners  seized  the  charters,  books,  and  papers 
of  the  company,  and  intercepted  all  letters  from  the  colony. 
Their  report  was  unfavourable  to  the  corporation,  who  were 
accordingly  summoned,  by  the  king,  to  surrender  their  charter. 
This  being  declined,  the  cause  was  brought  before  the  court 
of  king's  bench,  and  decided  against  them.  The  company 
was  dissolved,  and  its  powers  reverted  to  the  king. 

More  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  pounds  sterling 
nad  been  expended  on  the  colony,  and  nine  thousand  emi 
grants  had  been  sent  out  to  people  it ;  yet  the  annual  imports 


What  was  the  state  of  the  colony 

after  this  ? 
'Vhat  rendered  James  I  hostile  to  the 

London  company  ? 


Relate  the  circumstances  of  its  dis- 
solution. 

What  had  the  colony  cost  the  com 
pany  ? 


PROGRESS    OF    CIVIL    FREEDOM. 


57 


from  it  did  not  exceed  twenty  thousand  pounds,  and  the  num- 
ber of  inhabitants  was  only  eighteen  hundred. 

While  the  controversy  between  the  king  and  the  company 
was  going  forward,  the  colonists  were  continuing  to  exercise 
the  right  of  self-government.  The  general  assembly  met  in 
February,  1624.  Their  most  important  act  was  a  solemn 
declaration  « that  the  governor  should  not  impose  any  taxes 
on  the  colony,  otherwise  than  by  authority  of  the  general 
assembly  ;  and  that  he  should  not  withdraw  the  inhabitants 
from  their  private  labour  to  any  service  of  his  own.'  Other 
measures,  for  the  protection  of  the  colonists  against  arbitrary 
power,  were  passed  ;  and  '  the  laws  of  that  session  generally,' 
says  Judge  Marshall,  '  are  marked  with  that  good  sense  and 
patriotism  which  are  to  be  expected  from  men  perfectly  un- 
derstanding their  own  situation,  and  legislating  for  themselves.' 

They  resisted  the  attempt  of  the  royal  commissioners  to 
extort  from  them  a  declaration  of  unlimited  submission  to  the 
king ;  but  transmitted  a  petition  to  him  praying  for  a  confir- 
mation of  the  civil  rights  then  enjoyed,  together  with  the  sole 
importation  of  tobacco.  They  also  petitioned  to  have  the 
direction  of  any  military  force  which  the  king  might  station 
in  the  country.  All  the  acts  of  this  assembly  indicate  a 
remarkable  progress  of  the  colonists  in  the  knowledge  and 
appreciation  of  their  civil  rights. 

King  James  I  was  not  disposed  to  yield  up  a  second  time 
the  unlimited  controul  of  the  colony.  He  issued  a  special 
commission,  appointing  a  governor  and  twelve  councillors,  to 
whom  the  entire  direction  of  the  affairs  of  the  province  was 
committed.  He  did  not  recognise  the  assembly  as  a  part  of 
the  government;  but  attributing  the  late  disasters  to  the  in- 
fluence of  that  body,  he  determined  on  its  discontinuance. 
He  granted  to  Virginia  and  the  Somers  Isles  (Bermudas)  the 
exclusive  right  of  importing  tobacco  into  England  and  Ireland, 
as  had. been  desired,  but  totally  disregarded  the  wishes  of  the 
colonists  respecting  the  continuance  of  their  civil  freedom. 
His  death  prevented  the  completion  of  a  code  of  laws  in 
which  he  proposed  to  carry  out  his  favourite  principles  of 
government. 

Charles  I  inherited  the  arbitrary  disposition  and  despotic 
principles  of  his  father.  He  appears,  however,  to  have  at- 
tached very  little  importance  to  the  political  condition  of  the 


What  did  it  produce  ? 

What  is  said  of  the  general  assembly  ? 

Of  their  acts  ? 


What  was  done  by  the  king  .' 
What  prevented  his  completing  hit 
arbitrary  designs  ? 


58 


DESIGNS    OF    CHARLES    I. 


Virginians.  His  principal  aim  was  to  derive  profit  from  their 
industry.  He  neither  granted  nor  restricted  franchises  ;  but 
his  first  act  was  to  confirm  the  exclusive  trade  in  tobacco  to 
Virginia  and  the  Somers  Isles,  aud  his  next  was  to  proclaim 
himself,  *  through  his  agents,  the  sole  factor  of  the  planters.' 

Sir  George  Yeardley  was  the  successor  of  governor  Wyatt. 
(1626.)  The  assemblies  were,  of  course,  continued  under 
the  administration  of  the  man  who  had  first  introduced  them. 
The  king  did  not  disturb  the  Virginians  in  the  exercise  of  this 
important  civil  right.  Emigrants  continued  to  arrive  in  great 
numbers,  and  the  agriculture  and  commerce  of  the  colony 
were  in  a  most  flourishing  state. 

On  the  death  of  governor  Yeardley,  which  took  place  in 
November,  1627,  the  council  elected  Francis  West  to  succeed 
him.  During  his  administration,  the  king  proposed  to  the 
assembly  to  contract  for  the  whole  crop  of  tobacco  ;  but  this 
attempt  to  monopolise  the  chief  staple  of  the  colony  was  met 
by  a  decided  refusal. 

In  1629,  John  Harvey,  the  governor  who  had  been  com- 
missioned by  the  king,  on  the  decease  of  Yeardley,  arrived 
in  Virginia.  He  had  formerly  resided  in  the  colony,  and  was 
personally  unpopular.  A  strong  party  was  formed  in  opposi- 
tion to  him,  and  when,  in  some  dispute  about  land  titles,  he 
was  found  to  favour  the  court,  in  opposition  to  the  interests 
of  the  colonies,  he  was  removed  from  the  government  and 
West  appointed  in  his  place.  He  subsequently  consented  to 
go  to  England,  with  two  commissioners  on  the  part  of  the 
colonists,  in  order  that  their  complaints  might  be  heard  by 
the  king. 

Instead  of  listening  to  them,  Charles  reappointed  Harvey, 
who  remained  in  office  till  1639.  He  has  been  stigmatised 
by  most  of  the  old  historians  as  a  tyrant ;  but  it  does  not  ap- 
pear that  he  attempted  to  deprive  the  colonists  of  any  of  their 
civil  rights.  The  assemblies  were  continued  as  before,  and 
exercised  all  the  powers  which  they  had  acquired  in  Yeardley's 
time. 

His  successor  was  Sir  Francis  Wyatt,  who  continued  in 
office  till  February,  1642,  when  Sir  William  Berkeley,  having 
been  appointed  to  succeed  him,  arrived  and  assumed  the  go- 


What  were  the  views  of  Charles  I  ? 
What  was  his  first  act  ? 
His  next  ? 

What  is  said  of  Yeardley's   admi- 
nistration ? 
Of  West's  ? 


What  governor  came  out  in  1629  ? 
What  occasioned  his  return  to  Eng- 
land ? 

What  was  done  by  the  king  ? 
What  was  Harvey's  character  f 
What  is  said  of  Berkeley  ? 


INDIAN    WAR.  50 

verament.  He  recognised  and  confirmed  the  privileges  which 
the  Virginians  had  previously  enjoyed,  and  received  the  cordial 
support  of  all  parties.  Some  abuses  in  the  construction  and 
administration  of  the  laws  were  reformed.  Religion  was 
provided  for ;  the  mode  of  assessing  taxes  was  changed  for  a 
more  equitable  one ;  and  the  people,  under  this  able  and 
popular  governor,  enjoyed  their  civil  liberties  without  dis- 
turbance from  any  quarter. 

We  must  not  omit  to  mention  an  order  of  the  assembly 
establishing  Episcopacy  as  the  religion  of  the  colony,  and 
banishing  all  non-conforming  ministers.  Missionaries  from 
New  England,  who  had  come  on  for  the  purpose  of  preaching 
to  the  puritan  settlements  in  Virginia,  were  silenced  and  or- 
dered to  leave  the  colony.  This  intolerance  was  in  accord- 
ance with  the  spirit  of  the  age ;  and  examples  of  a  similar 
character  are  not  wanting  in  the  history  of  Massachusetts. 

In  1644  the  Indians,  against  whom  a  hostile  spirit  had  been 
kept  up  since  the  great  massacre  of  1622,  made  a  sudden 
attack  upon  the  frontier  settlements,  and  killed  about  three 
hundred  persons,  before  they  were  repulsed.  An  active  war- 
fare was  immediately  commenced  against  the  savages,  and 
their  king,  the  aged  Oppaconcanough,  was  made  prisoner,  and 
died  in  captivity.  The  country  was  soon  placed  in  a  state  of 
perfect  security  against  further  aggressions  from  that  quarter. 
In  1646  a  treaty,  accompanied  with  a  cession  of  lands,  was 
concluded  between  the  inhabitants  of  Virginia  and  Neconto- 
wanee,  the  successor  of  Oppaconcanough. 

The  colony  was  now  in  a  flourishing  state.     Its  commerce 
had  increased,  so  that  upwards  of  thirty  ships  were  engaged  in 
the  traffic  with  different  ports  in  New  England  and  Europe 
The  inhabitants,  in  1648,  had  increased  to  twenty  thousand. 

In  the  dispute  between  Charles  I  and  the  parliament  of 
England,  Virginia  espoused  the  cause  of  the  king ;  and  when 
the  republicans  had  obtained  the  ascendency,  a  fleet  was  fitted 
out  from  England,  for  the  purpose  of  reducing  the  colony  to 
submission. 

In  the  mean  time,  an  ordinance  of  parliament,  of  1650, 
which  forbade  all  intercourse  between  the  loyal  colonies  at.*! 
foreign  countries,  was  rigorously  enforced,  as  well  as  the  ac' 
of  1651,  which  secured  to  English  ships  the  entire  carrying 


Of  his  measures  ? 

What  act  of  intolerance  was  passed  ? 
Relate  the  events  of  the  Indian  war 
of  1644. 


What  is  said  of  the  commerce  of  Yir 

ginia  ? 

Of  the  civil  war  in  England  ? 
For  what  purpose  was  a  fleet  fitte* 

out? 


60 


VIRGINIA    CAPITULATES. 


trade  with  England.  When  the  fleet  arrived,  commissioners 
were  instructed  to  reduce  the  colony  to  submission.  It  was 
found  that  parliament  offered  to  the  colonists,  provided  they 
would  adhere  to  the  commonwealth,  all  the  liberties  of  Eng- 
lishmen, with  an  amnesty  for  their  past  loyalty  to  the  deposed 
king,  and  '  as  free  trade  as  the  people  of  England.'  On  the 
other  hand,  war  was  threatened  in  case  of  resistance. 

The  Virginians,  with  their  accustomed  gallantry,  '  refused 
to  surrender  to  force,  but  yielded  by  a  voluntary  deed,  and  a 
mutual  compact.'  All  the  rights  of  self-government,  formerly 
enjoyed,  were  again  guaranteed.  Richard  Bennet,  who  had 
been  one  of  the  commissioners  of  parliament,  was  elected 
governor,  and  Berkeley  retired  to  private  life. 

In  1655,  and  1658,  the  assembly  of  burgesses  exercised  the 
right  of  electing  and  removing  the  governor  of  the  colony ; 
and,  on  occasion  of  receiving  intelligence  of  the  death  of 
Cromwell,  they  were  careful  to  reassert  this  right,  and  re- 
quire the  governor,  Matthews,  to  acknowledge  it,  in  order,  as 
they  said,  '  that  what  was  their  privilege  now,  might  be  the 
privilege  of  their  posterity.' 

On  the  death  of  Matthews,  the  government  of  England 
being  in  an  unsettled  state,  the  assembly  elected  Sir  William 
Berkeley  for  governor ;  and,  as  he  refused  to  act  under  the 
usurped  authority  of  the  parliament,  the  colonists  boldly  raised 
the  royal  standard,  and  proclaimed  Charles  the  Second,  as 
their  lawful  sovereign.  This  was  an  act  of  great  temerity,  as 
it  fairly  challenged  the  whole  power  of  Great  Britain.  The 
distracted  state  of  that  country  saved  the  Virginians  from  its 
consequences,  until  the  restoration  of  Charles  to  the  British 
throne  gave  them  a  claim  to  his  gratitude,  as  the  last  among 
his  subjects  to  renounce,  and  the  first  to  return  to  their  alle- 
giance. 


What  terms  were  offered  to  the  Vir- 
ginians on  its  arrival  ? 

Were  they  accepted  ? 

Who  was  elected  governor  ? 

What  was  done  by  the  burgesses  in 
1655  and  1658 


Who  succeeded  Matthews  ? 

What  bold  act  was  performed  during 
Sir  William  Berkeley's  administra- 
tion? 

Why  was  it  unpunished  ? 


NAVIGATION    ACT.  61 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

VIRGINIA   AFTER   THE    RESTORATION. 

THE  intelligence  of  the  Restoration  was  received  with  en- 
thusiasm in  Virginia.  It  naturally  excited  hign  hopes  of 
favour,  which  were  increased  by  the  expressions  of  esteem 
and  gratitude,  which  Charles  found  no  difficulty  in  addressing 
to  the  colonists.  These  hopes  they  were,  for  a  short  time, 
permitted  to  indulge.  The  assembly  introduced  many  im- 
portant changes  in  judicial  proceedings ;  trial  by  jury  was 
restored ;  the  Church  of  England,  which  of  course  had  lost 
its  supremacy  during  the  protectorate,  was  again  established 
by  law ;  and  the  introduction  of  Quakers  into  the  colony  was 
made  a  penal  offence. 

The  principles  of  government  which  prevailed  in  England 
during  the  reign  of  Charles  II,  were  extended  to  the  colonies, 
which  were  now  considered  as  subject  to  the  legislation  of 
parliament,  and  bound  by  its  acts.  The  effects  of  this  new 
state  of  things  were  first  perceived  in  the  restrictions  on 
commerce.  Retaining  the  commercial  system  of  the  Long 
Parliament,  the  new  house  of  commons  determined  to  render 
the  trade  of  the  colonies  exclusively  subservient  to  English 
commerce  and  navigation.  One  of  their  first  acts  was  to  vote 
a  dut)  of  five  per  cent,  on  all  merchandise  exported  from,  or 
imported  into  any  of  the  dominions  belonging  to  the  crown. 
This  was  speedily  followed  by  the  famous  ' Navigation  Act? 
the  most  memorable  statute  in  the  English  commercial  code. 

By  this  law,  among  other  things,  it  was  enacted,  that  no 
commodities  should  be  imported  into  any  British  settlement 
in  Asia,  Africa,  or  America,  or  exported  from  them,  but  in 
vessels  built  in  England,  or  the  plantations,  and  navigated  by 
irevvs,  of  which  the  master  and  three-fourths  of  the  mariners 
should  be  English  subjects,  under  the  penalty  of  forfeiture  of 
ship  and  cargo ;  that  none  but  natural  born  subjects,  or  such  as 
dad  been  naturalised,  should  exercise  the  occupation  of  mer- 
chant, or  factor,  in  any  English  settlement,  under  the  penalty 
of  forfeiture  of  goods  and  chattels ;  that  no  sugar,  tobacco,  cot- 


How  did  the  Virginians  regard  the 

Restoration  in  England  ? 
What  was  done  by  the  assembly  ? 
What  was   now  the   policy  of  the 

British  government  ? 

6 


What  act  of  parliament  was  pass 
ed? 

What  were  the  provisions  of  the  na- 
vigation act  ? 


62 


RESTRICTIONS    ON    COMMERCE. 


ton,  wool,  indigo,  ginger,  or  woods  used  in  dyeing,  produced 
or  manufactured  in  the  colonies,  should  be  shipped  from  them 
to  any  other  country  than  England;  and  to  secure  the  obser- 
vance of  this  regulation,  the  owners  were  required,  before  sail- 
ing, to  give  bonds,  with  surety,  for  sums  proportioned  to  the 
rate  of  their  vessels.  Other  articles  of  merchandise  were 
subsequently  added  to  the  list,  as  they  became  important  to 
the  colonial  trade. 

As  some  compensation  to  the  colonies  for  these  commercial 
restrictions,  they  were  allowed  the  exclusive  privilege  of  sup- 
plying England  with  tobacco,  the  cultivation  of  which  was 
prohibited  in  England,  Ireland,  Guernsey,  and  Jersey.  In 
1663,  the  navigation  act  was  enlarged,  by  prohibiting  the  im- 
portation of  European  commodities  into  the  colonies,  except 
in  vessels  laden  in  England,  and  navigated  and  manned  ac- 
cording to  the  provisions  already  quoted. 

At  the  same  time  the  principle  was  assumed,  and  declared, 
that  the  commerce  of  the  colonies  ought  to  be  confined  to  the 
mother  country,  and  that  the  colonies  themselves  should  be 
retained  in  firm  and  absolute  dependence.  Not  content  with 
this,  the  parliament  proceeded  to  tax  the  trade  of  the  several 
colonies  with  each  other,  by  imposing  a  duty  on  the  exporta- 
tion of  the  commodities  enumerated  in  the  navigation  act,  from 
one  colony  to  another,  equivalent  to  what  was  levied  on  the 
consumption  of  those  articles  in  England. 

This  colonial  system  was  considered  highly  conducive  to 
the  interests  of  England  ;  and  was,  of  course,  popular  in  that 
country,  but  it  was  felt  to  be  unjust  and  injurious  to  the  colo- 
nists, and  excited  their  indignation,  as  well  as  a  determination 
to  evade  it  in  every  possible  way. 

The  Virginians,  who  had  naturally  expected  distinguishing 
favours  from  the  restored  government,  were  highly  exaspe- 
rated at  this  selfish  and  cruel  attack  upon  their  .prosperity. 
They  remonstrated  against  it  as  a  grievance,  and  petitioned 
for  relief.  But  Charles,  instead  of  listening  to  their  request, 
enforced  the  act  with  the  utmost  rigour,  by  erecting  forts  on 
the  banks  of  the  principal  rivers,  and  appointing  vessels  to 
cruise  on  the  coast.  Relief  was  sought  by  entering  into  a 
clandestine  trade  with  the  Dutch,  on  Hudson  river.  This, 
however,  was  of  trifling  importance.  A  conspiracy  for  throw- 
ing off  the  yoke  of  England,  which  has  received  the  name 


What  was  allowed  to  the  colonists  ? 
".Vhat  principle  was  assumed  ? 
How  was  the  colonial  system  regarded 
in  England  t 


How  in  America  ? 

What  was  done  by  the  Virginians  ? 

By  Charles  II  ? 

By  Birkenhead  and  others  ? 


DISCONTENT   OF   THE    VIRGINIANS. 


63 


of  Birkenhead's  plot,  was  entered  into  by  some  banished  sol- 
diers of  Cromwell ;  but  it  was  easily  suppressed  by  the 
prudence  of  Sir  William  Berkeley,  and  the  leaders  were 
executed.  (1663.) 

The  colonial  assembly,  by  way  of  retaliation  on  the  mother 
country,  enacted  a  law  that,  in  the  payment  of  debts,  coun- 
try creditors  should  have  the  priority,  and  that  all  courts  of 
justice  should  give  precedence  in  judgment  to  contracts  made 
in  the  colony.  Acts  were  passed  to  restrain  the  cultivation 
of  tobacco,  and  to  introduce  the  production  and  manufacture 
Of  silk.  These  designs  were  unsuccessful.  The  people 
would  raise  tobacco  as  long  as  they  found  a  ready  market  for 
it ;  and  the  price  of  labour,  in  a  new  country,  was  found  to 
be  wholly  incompatible  with  the  profitable  culture  of  the  silk 
worm. 

The  discontents,  occasioned  by  the  commercial  restric- 
tions, were  further  increased  by  the  inconsiderate  grants  of 
land  which  the  king  made  to  his  favourites,  in  violation  of 
the  rights  of  the  Virginians,  and  the  grants  which  had  pre- 
viously been  made. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1675,  there  occurred  some 
slight  out-breakings  of  popular  discontent,  which,  though 
easily  suppressed  by  the  prudence  and  decision  of  the  go- 
vernor, gave  a  significant  intimation  of  the  state  of  public 
feeling.  To  avert  the  crisis,  and  obtain  some  redress,  a 
deputation  was  sent  to  England ;  who,  after  a  tedious  nego- 
tiation with  the  king  and  his  ministers,  had  nearly  succeeded 
in  their  object,  when  they  received  the  intelligence  of  a  for- 
midable rebellion  in  the  colony. 

A  tax,  imposed  by  the  assembly  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
the  deputation,  had  caused  some  irritation,  which  the  delay 
of  the  government  in  affording  relief  exasperated  into  fury. 
A  war  with  the  Susquehannah  Indians,  which  had  distressed 
the  frontiers  for  some  time,  now  burst  forth  with  new  vio- 
lence, and  threatened  additional  expense  and  distress  to  the 
people.  The  governor,  Sir  William  Berkeley,  whose  popu- 
larity had  been  hitherto  equal  to  his  spirit  and  integrity,  was 
now  pronounced  too  old  and  infirm  for  his  office.  He  was 
ungratefully  '  accused  of  wanting  honesty  to  resist  the  op- 
pressions of  the  mother  country,  and  courage  to  repel  the 
hostility  of  the  savages.'  These  charges  were  urged  with 
great  artifice,  eloquence,  and  address,  by  an  adventurer  who 


By  Governor  Berkeley  ? 

By  the  assembly  ? 

What  increased  the  discontents  ? 


What  happened  early  in  1675  ? 
With  whom  did  a  war  break  out  ? 


64 


BACON'S   REBELLION. 


nad  arrived  in  the  colony  about  three  years  before,  Nathaniel 
Bacon. 

This  man  had  been  bred  to  the  law,  and  had  gained,  by 
his  talents  and  insinuating  manners,  a  seat  in  the  council, 
and  the  rank  of  colonel  in  the  militia.  He  was  not  satisfied 
with  these  distinctions,  but  aspired  to  greater  things.  He  had 
been  concerned  in  the  insurrection  of  the  preceding  year,  and 
had  been  taken  prisoner,  but  was  pardoned  by  the  governor 
This  circumstance  had  cut  him  off  from  all  hope  of  promo- 
tion by  the  regular  government  of  the  colony ;  and  his  am- 
bition took  another  direction.  He  inveighed,  with  much 
warmth  and  eloquence,  against  what  he  termed  the  inertness 
and  neglect  of  the  governor,  in  the  conduct  of  the  frontier 
war ;  and,  declaring  that  the  whole  Indian  race  might  easily 
be  exterminated,  he  exhorted  the  people  to  take  up  arms  in 
their  own  defence,  and,  by  one  vigorous  campaign,  to  ter- 
minate the  war. 

His  harangue  was  successful.  A  great  number  of  the  peo- 
ple were  soon  embodied  "for  an  expedition  against  the  In- 
dians ;  and,  having  elected  Bacon  for  their  general,  placed 
themselves  entirely  at  his  disposal.  To  sanction  the  autho- 
rity he  had  acquired,  or  to  create  an  open  breach  with  the 
existing  government,  he  applied  to  the  governor  for  a  con- 
firmation of  his  election,  and  offered  instantly  to  march 
against  the  common  enemy.  Berkeley  temporised,  and, 
when  pressed  for  a  decision,  issued  a  proclamation,  com- 
manding the  multitude,  in  the  king's  name,  to  disperse  im- 
mediately, under  the  penalties  of  rebellion. 

Bacon,  by  no  means  disconcerted  at  this  turn  of  affairs, 
marched  directly  to  Jamestown,  at  the  head  of  six  hundred 
of  his  followers ;  and,  surrounding  the  house  where  the  go- 
vernor and  assembly  were  met,  he  demanded  the  commission 
in  a  tone  not  to  be  mistaken.  Berkeley  refused  with  firm- 
ness ;  and,  presenting  himself  to  the  conspirators,  who  had 
charged  him  with  cowardice,  he  undauntedly  exposed  his 
breast  to  their  weapons,  and  awaited  the  result.  The  coun- 
cil, less  courageous  than  their  leader,  hastily  prepared  a  com- 
mission, appointing  Bacon  captain-general  of  all  the  forces 
in  Virginia,  and,  by  dint  of  earnest  entreaty,  prevailed  on  th* 
governor  to  sign  it.  


Who  slandered  the  governor,  and  fo- 
mented disturbances  ? 

What  was  Bacon's  character  ? 

How  did  he  inflame  the  minds  of  the 
people  } 

Wjiat  did  they  do  ? 


To  whom  did  they  apply  for  a  c» 

firmation  of  their  acts  ? 
What  was  Berkeley's  answer  ? 
How  did  Bacon  then  proceed  ? 
How  did  the  governor  behave  ? 
Who  made  out  the  commission  f 


CIVIL    WAR    IN    VIRGINIA.  65 

The  insurgents  raised  a  shout  of  triumph,  and  relfced  ;  and 
the  assembly,  feeling  their  courage  suddenly  revive  with  the 
departure  of  the  danger,  voted  a  resolution  annulling  the 
commission  they  had  just  granted,  as  having  been  extorted 
by  force,  denouncing  Bacon  as  a  rebel,  and  commanding  his 
followers  to  deliver  him  up.  The  governor  readily  con- 
firmed this  act  of  the  assembly. 

Bacon  and  his  army  could  now  charge  their  opponents 
with  baseness  and  treachery ;  and  give  their  own  cause  a 
colour  of  justice.  They  returned  to  Jamestown ;  and  the 
governor  was  obliged  to  retire  to  Acomac,  on  the  eastern 
shore  of  the  Chesapeake.  Some  of  the  councillors  accom- 
panied him ;  the  rest  returned  to  their  plantations ;  and  the 
government  of  the  colony  remained  in  the  hands  of  the 
popular  leader. 

Having  acquired  the  actual  power,  Bacon  now  sought  to 
give  it  a  legitimate  form.  He,  therefore,  assembled  the  gen- 
tlemen of  the  country  in  convention,  and  prevailed  on  a  large 
number  of  them  '  to  pledge  themselves,  by  oath,  to  support 
his  authority,  and  resist  his  enemies.'  A  declaration  was 
published,  in  the  name  of  the  convention,  charging  the  origin 
of  the  civil  war  upon  Sir  William  Berkeley,  setting  forth  that 
he  had  given  information  to  the  king  that  the  general  and  his 
followers  were  rebels  ;  and  requiring  the  people  to  support 
the  general,  by  aid  and  allegiance,  against  all  forces  whatso- 
ever, till  the  king  should  be  informed  of  the  true  state  of  the 
case.  This  declaration  united  the  great  body  of  the  people 
in  Virginia,  and  even  found  some  advocates  in  England. 

Berkeley,  in  the  mean  time,  retaining  some  adherents 
among  the  planters,  induced  them  to  take  up  arms  ;  and, 
haring  raised  some  recruits  among  the  crews  of  the  English 
•hipping  on  the  coast,  with  their  united  force  he  commenced 
a  series  of  attacks  on  the  insurgents,  with  various  success. 
The  colony  was  now  in  a  state  of  civil  war.  Jamestown 
was  burnt  by  Bacon's  party  ;  the  estates  of  the  loyalists  were 
plundered,  their  families  seized  as  hostages,  and  the  richest 
plantations  in  the  province  ravaged.  The  governor  retali- 
ated these  outrages,  and  executed  some  of  the  insurgents  by 
martial  law.  A  war  of  extermination  was  threatened. 

Meantime,  intelligence  of  the  rebellion  had  reached  Eng 
land.  The  king  had  issued  a  proclamation,  declaring  Bacon 


How  did  the  assembly  then  behave  ? 
What  was  the  consequence  ? 
Who  retained  the  government  ? 
How  did  he  seek  to  strengthen  it  ? 


6* 


How  did  Berkeley  proceed  ? 
What  was  the  state  of  the  colony  t 
What  was  done  by  the  King  of  Eng- 
land ? 


66  VIRGINIA    RETAINS    HER    FREEDOM. 

a  traitor,  and  the  sole  author  of  the  insurrection,  granting 
pardon  to  those  of  his  followers  who  would  forsake  him, 
and  offering  freedom  to  all  slaves  who  would  aid  in  suppress- 
ing the  revolt.  An  armament,  under  Sir  John  Berry,  had 
Bailed  from  England  to  assist  the  governor  in  his  warfare. 

Bacon  heard  the  intelligence  of  these  operations  without 
dismay.  He  counted  on  the  devotion  of  his  adherents,  and 
determined  to  resist  to  the  last  extremity.  He  had  already 
proclaimed  a  general  forfeiture  of  all  the  property  of  his  op- 
ponents, and  was  preparing  to  take  the  field  anew,  when  his 
career  was  suddenly  arrested  by  an  unforeseen  contingency 
"When  just  ready  to  strike  the  blow  which  was  to  annihilate 
the  opposition  of  his  enemies,  he  suddenly  sickened  and  died. 

So  completely  had  he  been  the  soul  of  his  party,  that  his 
death  was  the  signal  for  its  immediate  dissolution.  Without 
any  attempt  at  reorganization — without  any  choice  of  a  new 
leader,  they  entered  into  terms  with  Sir  William  Berkeley, 
and  laid  down  their  arms  on  condition  of  receiving  a  general 
pardon.  (1676.) 

This  rebellion,  which  had  placed  the  colony  for  seven 
months  under  the  direction  of  a  most  reckless  usurper,  might 
have  terminated  in  its  complete  ruin.  It  cost  many  valuable 
lives,  and  occasioned  the  loss  of  property  to  a  very  large 
amount.  It  failed,  however,  to  convey  to  the  mother  country 
the  lesson  that  it  was  unsafe  and  impolitic  to  oppress  the 
colonies  by  restrictions  on  their  commerce.  Had  the  signs 
which  it  held  forth  been  properly  understood  by  the  British 
government,  the  revolution  of  1776  might  have  been  delayed 
to  a  much  later  period. 

The  succeeding  period  in  the  history  of  Virginia  is  marked 
with  few  incidents  of  importance.  The  succession  of  the 
different  governors  and  the  continuance  of  the  commercial 
restrictions  are  the  only  circumstances  of  note  during  the 
subsequent  portion  of  the  reign  of  Charles  II  and  that  of 
James  II. 

The  revolution  of  the  British  government  which  took  place 
in  1688  was  highly  beneficial  to  Virginia,  in  common  with 
the  other  American  colonies.  The  new  sovereigns,  William 
and  Mary,  gave  their  patronage  and  their  name  to  a  college 
which  had  been  projected  in  the  preceding  reign,  and  which 


By  Bacon  ? 

What  ended  his  rebellion  ? 
How  did  his  followers  proceed  after 
his  death  ? 


What  was  the  effect  of  this  rebellion  ? 

Wha/  wis  the  effect  of  the  revolution 
of  1688,  on  tnc  affairs  of  Virgi- 
nia? 


SETTLLMENT  OF  MARYLAND. 


67 


is  to  this  day  one  of  the  most  respectable  literary  seminaries 
in  the  country. 

The  political  freedom,  which  the  revolution  confirmed  anci 
established  in  England,  extended  many  of  its  blessings  to 
Virginia.  The  province  became  less  dependent  on  the  will 
of  the  sovereign,  and  although  he  had  still  the  appointment 
of  the  governors,  the  influence  of  the  colonial  assemblies 
was  sufficient  to  restrain  those  functionaries  within  such 
boundaries  of  authority  as  were  requisite  for  the  well  being 
of  the  colony.  Favouritism  and  religious  intolerance  dis- 
appeared ;  and  a  better  understanding  prevailed  with  the 
other  provincial  governments. 

The  population  had  increased  to  upwards  of  60,000  souls  ; 
and  the  increasing  healthfulness  of  the  settlements  promised  a 
still  more  rapid  augmentation  of  their  numbers.  In  1688,  the 
province  contained  forty-eight  parishes,  embracing  upwards 
of  200,000  acres  of  appropriated  land.  Each  parish  contained 
a  church,  with  a  parsonage  house  and  glebe  attached ;  and 
each  clergyman  was  by  law  assigned  a  salary  of  16,000  pounds 
of  tobacco.  Episcopacy  continued  to  be  the  established 
religion,  but  dissenters  were  increasing  so  rapidly,  that  before 
the  American  revolution  they  amounted  to  two-thirds  of  the 
whole  population.  The  statutes  against  them,  though  un- 
repealed,  had  become  a  dead  letter. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


SETTLEMENT    OF    MARYLAND. 

BY  its  second  charter,  Virginia  included  the  whole  territory 
which  at  present  forms  the  state  of  Maryland.  The  country 
was  explored  by  the  Virginia  settlers  as  early  as  1621;  a 
settlement  was  formed,  and  a  trade  with  the  Indians  in  furs 
established.  An  attempt  was  made  to  monopolise  this  trade 
by  William  Clayborne,  a  man  of  active  and  turbulent  dispo- 
sition, who  long  exerted  an  extensive  and  injurious  influence 
over  the  fortunes  of  the  rising  state. 

He  had  come  out  from  England  as  a  surveyor  in  1621,  and 
had  sustained  important  offices  in  Virginia  till  1629,  when  he 
was  employed  to  survey  the  Chesapeake  bay.  Theinforma- 


What  was  the  population  ?        ; 
In  what  state  was  Maryland  originally 
included  ? 


What  was  done  in  1621  t 
Who  was  William  Clayborne  ? 
How  was  he  employed  in  1628  f 


68 


CHARTER   OF    MARYLAND. 


tion  which  he  obtained  in  executing  this  undertaking,  induced 
him  to  form  a  company  in  England  for  trading  with  the 
Indians,  and  he  obtained  a  royal  license,  giving  him  the 
direction  of  an  expedition  for  this  purpose  in  1631.  Under 
these  auspices  trading  establishments  were  formed  on  Kent 
Island  in  Maryland,  and  also  near  the  mouth  of  the  Susque- 
hannah.  Clayborne's  authority  was  confirmed  by  a  commis- 
sion from  the  government  of  Virginia,  and  that  colony  claimed 
the  advantages  which  were  expected  to  result  from  commer- 
cial speculation  extending  far  to  the  north  of  the  present 
limits  of  the  state  of  Virginia. 

But  a  distinct  colony  was  now  formed  on  her  borders  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Calvert  family.  Sir  George  Calvert,  a 
Roman  Catholic  nobleman  of  enlarged  capacity  and  liberal 
views,  had  become  interested  in  American  colonisation.  He 
had  spent  a  large  amount  of  time  and  money  in  unsuccessful 
attempts  to  form  settlements  on  Newfoundland.  In  1628, 
he  visited  Virginia ;  but  was  deterred  from  settling  within  its 
limits  by  the  intolerance  of  the  colonial  government  towards 
his  religious  opinions. 

He  therefore  turned  his  attention  towards  the  country 
beyond  the  Potomac ;  and,  finding  it  at  the  disposal  of  the 
King  of  England,  he  easily  obtained  from  him  a  charter  for 
colonising  it.  This  charter  was  of  a  liberal  character,  afford- 
ing ample  guarantees  for  the  freedom  of  the  colonists,  and  the 
rights  and  privileges  of  the  proprietary.  The  boundaries 
which  it  prescribed  were  the  Atlantic  ocean,  the  fortieth 
parallel  of  north  latitude,  the  meridian  of  the  western  fountain 
of  the  Potomac,  the  river  itself  from  its  mouth  to  its  source, 
and  a  line  drawn  due  east  from  Watkin's  Point  to  the  ocean. 
The  name  given  to  the  new  colony  was  Maryland,  in  honour 
of  Henrietta  Maria,  daughter  of  Henry  IV  of  France,  and 
wife  of  Charles  I  of  England. 

The  charter  assigned  the  country  to  Calvert,  Lord  Balti- 
more, his  heirs  and  assigns,  as  absolute  lord  and  proprietary, 
on  payment  of  a  feudal  rent  of  two  Indian  arrows,  and  one-fifth 
of  all  gold  and  silver  ore  which  might  be  discovered.  The 


Tn  1631 ? 

Where  did  he  form  trading  establish- 
ments ? 

Under  what  colonial  government  did 
he  act  ? 

(Jpder  whose  auspices  was  a  distinct 
colony  formed  ? 

Who  was  Sir  George  Calvert  ? 

What  prevented  his  settling  in  Vir- 
ginia ? 


For  what  country  did  he  obtain  a 
charter  ? 

From  whom  ? 

What  did  it  afford  ? 

What  were  the  boundaries  of  the  new 
colony  ? 

What  was  its  name  ? 

What  were  the  terms  of  the  char- 
ter? 


CHARACTER    OF    SIR   GEORGE    CALVERT. 


69 


right  of  legislation  was  given  to  the  emigrants  who  should 
settle  on  the  soil.  They  were  also  protected  from  injury  by 
the  proprietary,  to  their  lives,  liberty,  or  estates. 

Although  Sir  George  Calvert  was  a  Roman  Catholic,  he 
allowed  the  most  perfect  religious  liberty  to  the  colonists  under 
his  charter ;  and  Maryland  was  the  first  state  in  the  world  in' 
which  perfect  religious  freedom  was  enjoyed.  All  English 
subjects,  without  distinction,  were  allowed  equal  rights  in 
respect  to  property  and  religious  and  civil  franchises.  A 
royal  exemption  from  English  taxation  was  another  singular 
privilege  obtained  by  Lord  Baltimore  for  the  people  of  his 
colony.  All  the  extraordinary  features  of  his  charter  owe 
their  origin  to  the  political  foresight  and  sagacity  of  this 
remarkable  man. 

'  Calvert,'  says  Mr.  Bancroft,  '  deserves  to  be  ranked 
among  the  most  wise  and  benevolent  lawgivers  of  all  ages. 
He  was  the  first  in  the  history  of  the  Christian  world  to  seek 
for  religious  security  and  peace  by  the  practice  of  justice,  and 
not  by  the  exercise  of  power ;  to  plan  the  establishment  of 
popular  institutions  with  the  enjoyment  of  liberty  of  con- 
science ;  to  advance  the  career  of  civilisation  by  recognising 
the  rightful  equality  of  all  Christian  sects.  The  asylum  of 
papists  was  the  spot,  where,  in  a  remote  corner  of  the  world, 
on  the  banks  of  rivers,  which,  as  yet,  had  hardly  been  ex- 
plored, the  mild  forbearance  of  a  proprietary  adopted  religious 
freedom  as  the  basis  of  the  state.' 

Before  the  patent  was  executed  Sir  George  Calvert  died, 
and  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Cecil  Calvert,  the  second  Lord 
Baltimore ;  who  became  the  proprietor  of  Maryland,  and 
transmitted  his  proprietary  rights  to  many  generations  of  his 
heirs. 

Virginia  remonstrated  against  what  she  considered  an  in- 
fringement of  her  rights  and  an  invasion  of  her  territory  ;  but 
the  remonstrance  was  disregarded  at  court ;  and  in  November, 
1633,  Leonard  Calvert,  the  brother  of  Lord  Baltimore,  sailed 
from  England  with  about  two  hundred  Roman  Catholics  for 
America.  He  arrived  in  February  of  the  following  year  at 
Point  Comfort,  in  Virginia,  and  was  courteously  received  by 
the  governor,  Harvey.  From  this  Point  he  sailed  up  the 
Potomac  to  the  Indian  town  of  Piscataqua,  nearly  opposite 


What  religious  rights  were  allowed 

by  Calvert  ? 

What  is  observed  of  Maryland  ? 
What  was  Calvert's  character  ? 
Who  was  his  successor  ? 


What  was  done  by  Virginia  ? 

Who  was  sent  out  with  the  settlers 

under  the  charter  of  Maryland  ? 
Where  did  he  arrive  ? 


70  SETTLEMENT    OF    ST.  MARY'S. 

Mount  Vernon,  the  chieftain  of  which  told  him  *  he  might  use 
his  own  discretion  about  settling  in  his  country.'  Calvert, 
however,  chose  a  site  lower  down  the  river,  at  the  Indian 
town  of  Yoacomoco,  on  the  St.  Mary's  river,  which  he  named 
St.  George's  river.  The  Indians  were  induced,  by  presents, 
to  give  them  up  half  the  town,  and  promise  the  abandonment 
of  the  whole  after  harvest.  Quiet  possession  of  the  place 
was  accordingly  taken  by  the  colonists,  and  the  town  was 
named  St.  Mary's. 

The  Indians  now  entered  into  a  permanent  treaty  with  the 
settlers ;  their  women  taught  the  wives  of  the  English  to 
make  bread  of  maize,  and  the  men  instructed  their  visiters  in 
the  arts  of  the  chase.  The  ground  being  already  tilled,  and  a 
supply  of  food  and  cattle  from  Virginia  being  always  within 
reach,  the  province  advanced  rapidly  in  wealth  and  industry. 
In  six  months  it  had  increased  more  than  Virginia  had  done 
in  as  many  years.  The  proprietary  was  liberal  in  his  dis- 
bursements, spending  forty  thousand  pounds  in  the  first  two 
years. 

In  1635,  the  first  colonial  assembly  was  convened,  and 
passed  laws  for  protecting  its  righft  *  against  the  encroach- 
menis  of  Clayborne.  He  had  made  an  attack  on  the  colonists 
on  one  of  the  rivers  near  the  isle  of  Kent,  but  his  men  had 
been  defeated  and  taken  prisoners.  Clayborne  himself  fled 
to  Virginia,  and  when  reclaimed  by  the  governor  of  Mary- 
land, was  sent  by  Harvey  to  England. 

He  was  declared  a  traitor,  and  his  estates  were  pronounced 
forfeited  by  an  act  of  the  Maryland  assembly.  His  attempts 
to  obtain  redress  in  England  were  unavailing ;  and  the  right 
of  Lord  Baltimore  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Maryland  was  fully 
confirmed  by  the  British  government. 

Meantime  the  assembly  of  Maryland  was  labouring  in  the 
cause  of  civil  liberty  ;  at  the  same  time  that  it  recognised  the 
sovereignty  of  the  king  of  England,  and  the  rights  of  the 
proprietary,  it  confirmed  the  rights  of  Englishmen  to  the  in- 
habitants of  Maryland ;  established  a  representative  govern- 
ment ;  and  asserted  for  itself  similar  powers  to  those  of  the 
British  House  of  Commons. 

In  1642,  the  gratitude  of  the  colonists  towards  Lord  Balti- 
more was  manifested  by  the  grant  of  such  a  subsidy  as  thoy 
could  afford. 


Where  did  he  settle  ? 
What  is  saiu  of  the  Indians  ? 
(If  the  increase  of  the  colony  ? 
Of  the  proprietary  ? 


What  is  related  of  CUyborne  ? 
Of  Lord  Baltimore  ? 
Of  the  assembly  ? 
Of  the  colonists .' 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT    OF    NEW    ENGLAND.  71 

About  the  same  time,  the  Indians,  instigated  by  Clayborne, 
commenced  hostilities,  but  were  reduced  to  submission  with- 
out much  difficulty,  and  measures  were  taken  by  the  assem- 
bly to  insure  the  future  tranquillity  of  the  colony. 

In  1643,  Clayborne  succeeded  in  raising  a  rebellion,  which 
kept  the  province  in  a  state  of  disturbance  for  three  years ; 
and  at  one  time  the  governor  was  compelled  to  fly,  and  the 
public  records  were  lost  or  embezzled. 

The  government,  however,  was  eventually  triumphant,  and 
confirmed  its  victory  by  the  wise  and  humane  expedient  of  a 
general  amnesty. 

The  civil  wars  of  England   extended  their  influence  to 
Maryland  as  well  as  the  other  colonies.     When  the  authority 
of  Cromwell  was   defied   by   the   Virginians,  and  commis- 
sioners were  sent  to  reduce  them  to  obedience,  Clayborne, 
the  ever  active  enemy  of  the  Marylanders,  seized  the  occa- 
sion for  extending  his  authority  over  them  ;  and  a  long  series 
of  fresh  troubles  and  disturbances  were  brought  on  by  his 
measures.     Stone,  the  deputy  of  Lord  Baltimore,  was   re- 
peatedly deprived  of  his  commission ;  the  Catholic  in- 
habitants were  persecuted  for  their  religious  opinions, 
and  the  province  was  kept  for  years  in  a  state  of  alarm  165g 
and  confusion.     The  authority  of  the  proprietary  was, 
however,  finally  restored. 

In  1660,  the  representatives  of  Maryland  declared  their 
right  of  independent  legislation,  and  passed  an  act  making  it 
felony  to  disturb  the  order  thus  established.  From  that  time 
forward  the  province  enjoyed  comparative  repose.  Their 
population  had  already  reached  the  number  of  twelve  thou- 
sand. 


CHAPTER  X. 

FIRST    SETTLEMENT   OF    NEW    ENGLAND. 

SEVERAL  abortive  attempts  were  made  to  colonise  the 
country  now  called  New  England,  before  the  famous  expedi- 
tion of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  which  planted  the  earliest  per- 
manent colony. 


Of  the  Indians  ? 
Of  Clayborne  ? 
Of  the  governor  ? 
Of  the  government  ? 


What    transpired   during    the    civil 

wars  of  England  ? 
What  was  done  in  1660  ? 
What  followed  ? 


73 


THE    PLYMOUTH    COUNCIL. 


Two  expeditions  were  sent  out  from  the  west  of  England 
as  early  as  1606,  neither  of  which  left  settlers  ;  but  in  1607, 
two  ships,  commanded  by  Raleigh  Gilbert,  sailed  with  a 
colony  of  emigrants  under  the  presidency  of  George  Popham. 
These  adventurers  landed  and  formed  a  settlement  near  the 
mouth  of  Kennebec  river,  which  they  called  St.  George. 
•"Forty-five  persons  were  left  here  by  the  ships  on  their  return 
to  England,  in  December. 

During  the  winter  the  little  colony  suffered  many  hard- 
ships and  misfortunes.  Their  president  died ;  and  on  the 
return  of  the  ships  with  supplies,  Gilbert,  who  had  suc- 
ceeded to  the  presidency,  learning  that  chief  justice  Popham, 
the  principal  patron  of  the  colony,  was  dead ;  and  that  he 
himself  had,  by  the  decease  of  his  brother,  become  heir  to  a 
considerable  estate,  abandoned  the  plantation  ;  and  the  whole 
company  returned  to  the  mother  country. 

In  1614,  Captain  John  Smith,  the  hero  whose  name  is  so 
celebrated  in  Virginia  history,  set  sail  with  two  ships  for  the 
coast  north  of  Virginia,  and  performed  a  prosperous  voyage, 
during  which  he  explored  the  coast,  and  prepared  a  map  of 
it,  from  the  Penobscot  river  to  Cape  Cod.  He  gave  to  the 
country  the  name  of  New  England. 

His  success  in  this  enterprise  encouraged  him  to  attempt 
the  settlement  of  a  colony  for  Sir  Ferdinand  Gorges  and 
others,  of  the  Plymouth  company.  But  after  two  attempts 
he  WPS  intercepted  on  his  voyage  by  French  pirates,  lost  his 
vessel,  and  finally  escaped  from  the  harbour  of  Rochelle, 
alone,  in  an  open  boat.  Smith  was  a  perfect  hero  of  romance. 
Wucrever  we  hear  of  his  being,  we  are  sure  to  find  him  per- 
forming some  extraordinary  act,  some  feat  of  chivalry  or 
herculean  labour,  such  as  no  ordinary  man  would  ever  have 
thought  of  attempting.  His  fortune  was  as  extraordinary  as 
his  genius. 

On  his  return  home  from  France,  he  published  his  map 
and  description  of  New  England ;  and  by  his  earnest  soli- 
citations engaged  the  western  company  for  colonising  Ame- 
rica, to  solicit  and  obtain  a  charter  for  settling  the  country. 
The  company  was  called  '  The  council  established  at  Ply- 
mouth, in  the  county  of  Devon,  for  the  planting,  ruling, 
ordering,  and  governing  New  England,  in  America.'  The 


Where  was  a  colony  planted  in  1607? 
What  occasioned  its  abandonment  ? 
What  was  done  by  Captain  Smith  in 

1614? 
What  bcfel)  him  afterwards  ? 


What  is  observed  of  Smith  ? 

What  was  done  by  him  on  his  return 

to  England  ? 
What  company  was  formed  under  his 

auspices  ' 


THE    BROWN1STS.  73 

charter  gave  this  company  the  absolute  property  and  un- 
limited controul  of  the  territory  included  between  the  fortieth 
and  forty-eighth  degrees  of  north  latitude  and  the  Atlantic 
and  Pacific  oceans.  A  glance  at  the  map  will  show  that  this 
included  the  Canadas,  all  the  Eastern  and  nearly  all  the  Mid- 
dle States,  and  a  country  of  immense  extent  to  the  west.  All 
this  territory,  with  its  commercial  and  internal  resources, 
were  placed  under  the  absolute  controul  of  some  forty  mer- 
chants and  gentlemen,  who  composed  the  company,  and  re- 
sided in  England. 

The  extent  of  these  powers,  vested  in  the  company,  de- 
layed emigration  ;  and  in  the  mean  time,  the  first  permanent 
colony  in  New  England  -was  established  without  regard  to 
this  charter,  or  even  the  knowledge  of  the  company  who  had 
obtained  it. 

A  sect  of  puritans,  distinguished  by  the  democracy  of  its 
tenets  respecting  church  government,  and  denominated 
Brownisls,  from  the  name  of  its  founder,  had  sprung  up  in 
England,  and  after  suffering  much  persecution  from  the  go- 
vernment, had  taken  refuge  at  Leyden,  in  Holland.  Here 
its  members  having  formed  a  distinct  society  under  the  charge 
of  their  pastor,  Mr.  John  Robinson,  resided  for  some  years 
in  obscurity  and  safety ;  but  not  finding  their  situation  con- 
genial to  their  feelings  as  Englishmen,  and  fearful  of  losing 
their  national  identity,  they  had  come  to  the  determination 
of  removing  in  a  body  to  America. 

They  accordingly  sent  two  of  their  number,  Robert  Gush- 
man  and  John  Carver,  to  England,  for  the  purpose  of  obtain- 
ing the  consent  of  the  London  company  to  their  emigration  to 
Virginia.  Permission  was  promised,  and  a  formal  application, 
signed  by  the  greatest  part  of  the  congregation,  was  transmit- 
ted to  the  company.  The  language  used  on  this  occasion 
indicates  the  state  of  feeling  which  prompted  the  application. 
'  We  are  well  weaned  from  the  delicate  milk  of  our  mother 
country,  and  inured  to  the  difficulties  of  a  strange  land ;  the 
people  are  industrious  and  frugal.  We  are  knit  together  as  a 
body  in  a  most  sacred  covenant  of  the  Lord,  of  the  violation 
whereof  we  make  great  conscience,  and  by  virtue  whereof  we 
hold  ourselves  straitly  tied  to  all  care  of  each  other's  good, 
and  of  the  whole.  It  is  not  with  us  as  with  men  whom  small 


What  was  granted  in  their  charter  ? 
What  delayed  emigration  ? 
What  took  place  in  the  mean  time  ? 
Who  were  the  Brownists  ? 
Where  did  they  take  refuge  ? 
Who  was  their  pastor  ? 


Wh>  did  thev  determine  to  leave 
Holland  ? 

To  whom  did  they  apply  for  permis- 
sion to  settle  in  America  ? 

What  was  their  character  t 


74  VOYAGE    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

things  can  discourage.'  Such  was  the  character  of  the  far- 
renowned  Pilgrims  of  New  England,  as  described  by  them- 
selves. 

They  were  desirous  that  their  enterprise  should  receive  the 
formal  approbation  of  the  king.  But  James  I  was  hostile  to 
all  the  puritans  ;  and  the  utmost  that  he  would  promise  was 
neglect.  A  patent  under  the  company's  seal  was,  however, 
obtained  through  the  influence  of  Sir  Edwin  Sandys,  and  a 
tract  of  land  assigned  them  within  the  limits  of  the  Virginia 
charter.  The  funds  necessary  for  defraying  the  expenses  of 
the  expedition  were  obtained  in.  London,  on  terms  by  no  means 
favourable  to  the  borrowers ;  but  this  circumstance  could  not 
deter  men  who  were  actuated  by  the  spirit  of  the  Pilgrims. 

Two  vessels,  the  Speedwell,  of  sixty  tons,  and  the  May- 
flower, of  one  hundred  and  eighty  tons  burthen,  were  hired  in 
England.  Only  a  part  of  the  congregation  could  be  accom- 
modated in  these ;  and  Robinson  was  obliged  to  remain  at 
Leyden,  while  Brewster,  an  elder,  conducted  the  company. 

It  was  on  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  July,  1620,  when 
Robinson,  kneeling  in  prayer  on  the  sea  shore  at  Delfthaven, 
consecrated  the  embarkation  of  the  Pilgrims.  The  beginning 
of  their  -voyage  was  prosperous.  They  touched  at  South- 
ampton, in  England,  and  sailed  thence  on  the  fifth  of  August. 
Their  prospect  soon  darkened ;  they  were  obliged  to  put  back 
twice  in  order  to  repair  the  smaller  of  their  vessels,  and  final- 
ly to  abandon  her  with  such  of  their  company  as  were  too 
cowardly  to  continue  the  voyage ;  so  that  it  was  not  until  the 
6th  of  September,  1620,  that  they  took  their  final  departure 
from  England  in  the  Mayflower. 

'  Could,'  says  a  celebrated  orator  of  our  own  times,  « Could 
a  common  calculation  of  policy  have  dictated  the  terms  of  that 
settlement,  no  doubt  our  foundations  would  have  been  laid 
beneath  the  royal  smile.  Convoys  and  navies  would  have 
been  solicited,  to  waft  our  fathers  to  the  coast ;  armies  to  de- 
fend the  infant  communities  ;  and  the  flattering  patronage  of 
princes  and  lords,  to  espouse  their  interests  in  the  councils  of 
the  mother  country. 

*  Happy,  that  our  fathers  enjoyed  no  such  patronage  ;  hap- 
py, that  they  fell  into  no  such  protecting  hands  ;  happy,  thai 
our  foundations  were  silently  and  deeply  cast  in  quiet  insig- 


What  was  done  by  James  I  ? 
.-Jow  did  they  obtain  their  patent  ? 
Where  did  tfcey  raise  morey  ? 
What  ships  did  they  hire  ? 
Who  was  their  leader  ? 


When  did  they  leave  Holland  ? 
What  occasioned  the  abandonment  ot 

one  of  their  ships  ? 
Describe  the  vovage. 


VOYAGE    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  75 

nificance,  beneath  a  charter  of  banishment,  persecution,  and 
contempt ;  so  that  when  the  royal  arm  was  at  length  out- 
stretched against  us,  instead  of  a  submissive  child,  tied  down 
by  former  graces,  it  found  a  youthful  giant  in  the  land,  born 
amidst  hardships,  and  nourished  on  the  rocks,  indebted  for  no 
"avours,  and  owing  no  duty. 

'  From  the  dark  portals  of  the  star  chamber,  and  in  the  stern 
texts  of  the  acts  of  uniformity,  the  Pilgrims  received  a  com- 
mission, more  efficient  than  any  that  ever  bore  the  royal  seal. 
Their  banishment  to  Holland  was  fortunate ;  the  decline  of 
their  little  company  in  the  strange  land  was  fortunate ;  the 
difficulties  which  they  experienced,  in  getting  the  royal  con- 
sent to  banish  themselves  to  this  wilderness,  were  fortunate  ; 
all  the  tears  and  heart-breakings  of  that  ever  memorable  part- 
ing at  Delfthaven,  had  the  happiest  influence  on  the  rising 
destinies  of  New  England. 

'All  this  purified  the  ranks  of  the  settlers.  These  rough 
touches  of  fortune  brushed  off  the  light,  uncertain,  selfish 
spirits.  They  made  it  a  grave,  solemn,  self-denying  expedi- 
tion, and  required  those  who  engaged  in  it  to  be  so  too.  They 
cast  a  broad  shadow  of  thought  and  seriousness  over  the  cause, 
and  if  this  sometimes  deepened  into  melancholy  and  bitterness, 
can  we  find  no  apology  for  such  a  human  weakness  ? 

'  It  is  sad  indeed  to  reflect  on  the  disasters  which  the  little 
band  of  pilgrims  encountered.  Sad  to  see  a  portion  of  them, 
the  prey  of  unrelenting  cupidity,  treacherously  embarked  in 
an  unsound,  unseaworthy  ship,  which  they  are  soon  obliged 
to  abandon,  and  crowd  themselves  into  one  vessel ;  one  hun- 
dred persons,  besides  the  ship's  company,  in  a  vessel  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  tons.  One  is  touched  at  the  story  of  the 
long,  cold,  and  weary  autumnal  passage  ;  of  the  landing  on 
the  inhospitable  rocks  at  this  dismal  season  ;  where  they  are 
deserted,  before  long,  by  the  ship  which  had  brought  them, 
and  which  seemed  their  only  hold  upon  the  world  of  fellow- 
men,  a  prey  to  the  elements  and  to  want,  and  fearfully  igno- 
rant of  the  numbers,  of  the  power,  and  the  temper  of  the 
savage  tribes  that  filled  the  unexplored  continent  upon  whose 
verge  they  had  ventured. 

'  But  all  this  wrought  together  for  good.  These  trials  ol 
wandering  and  exile  of  the  ocean,  the  winter,  the  wilderness 
and  the  savage  foe,  were  the  final  assurance  of  success.  It 
was  these  that  put  far  away  from  our  fathers'  cause  all  patri- 
cian softness,  all  hereditary  claims  to  pre-eminence. 

'  No  effeminate  nobility  crowded  into  the  dark  and  austere 
ranks  of  the  Pilgrims.  No  Carr  nor  Villiers  would  lead  on 


76  VOYAGE    OF    THE    PILQRIMS. 

the  ill-provided  band  of  despised  Puritans.  No  well  endowed 
clergy  were  on  the  alert,  to  quit  their  cathedrals,  and  set  up  a 
pompous  hierarchy  in  the  frozen  wilderness.  No  craving 
governors  were  anxious  to  be  sent  over  to  our  cheerless  El 
Dorados  of  ice  and  of  snow. 

'No,  they  could  not  say  they  had  encouraged,  patronised, 
or  helped  the  Pilgrims ;  their  own  cares,  their  own  labours, 
their  own  counsels,  their  6wn  blood  contrived  all,  achieved  all, 
bore  all,  sealed  all.  They  could  not  afterwards  fairly  pretend 
to  reap  where  they  had  not  strewn ;  and  as  our  fathers  reared 
this  broad  and  solid  fabric  with  pains  and  watchfulness,  un- 
aided, barely  tolerated,  it  did  not  fall  when  the  favour,  which 
had  always  been  withholden,  was  changed  into  wrath  ;  when 
the  arm,  which  had  never  supported,  was  raised  to  destroy. 

4  Methinks  I  see  it  now,  that  one  solitary,  adventurous 
vessel,  the  Mayflower  of  a  forlorn  hope,  freighted  with  the 
prospects  of  a  future  state,  and  bound  across  the  unknown  sea. 
I  behold  it  pursuing,  with  a  thousand  misgivings,  the  uncer- 
tain, the  tedious  voyage.  Suns  rise  and  set,  and  weeks  and 
months  pass,  and  winter  surprises  them  on  the  deep,  but 
brings  them  not  the  sight  of  the  wished-for  shore. 

'  I  see  them  now,  scantily  supplied  with  provisions,  crowded 
almost  to  suffocation  in  their  ill-stored  prison,  delayed  by 
calms,  pursuing  a  circuitous  route — and  now  driven  in  fury 
before  the  raging  tempest,  on  the  high  and  giddy  waves.  The 
awful  voice  of  the  storm  howls  through  the  rigging.  The 
labouring  masts  seem  straining  from  their  base — the  dismal 
sound  of  the  pumps  is-  heard — the  ship  leaps,  as  it  were, 
madly,  from  billow  to  billow — the  ocean  breaks,  and  settles 
with  engulfing  floods  over  the  floating  deck,  and  beats  with 
deadening,  shivering  weight,  against  the  staggered  vessel. 

'  I  see  them,  escaped  from  these  perils,  pursuing  their  all  but 
desperate  undertaking,  and  landed  at  last,  after  a  five  months' 
passage,  on  the  ice  clad  rocks  of  Plymouth — weak  and  weary 
from  the  voyage — poorly  armed,  scantily  provisioned,  depend- 
ing on  the  charity  of  their  ship-master  for  a  draught  of  beer 
on  board,  drinking  nothing  but  water  on  shore — without  shel- 
ter— without  means — surrounded  by  hostile  tribes. 

'  Shut  now  the  volume  of  history,  and  tell  me,  on  any  prin- 
ciple of  human  probability,  what  shall  be  the  fate  of  this 
handful  of  adventurers.  Tell  me,  man  of  military  science,  in 
how  many  months  were  they  all  swept  off  by  the  thirty  savagb 
tribes,  enumerated  within  the  early  limits  of  New  England? 
Tell  me,  politician,  how  long  did  this  shadow  of  a  colony,  or 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  77 

which  your  conventions  and  treaties  had  not  smiled,  languish 
on  the  distant  coast? 

'  Student  of  history,  compare  for  me  the  baffled  projects, 
the  deserted  settlements,  the  abandoned  adventures  of  other 
times,  and  find  the  parallel  of  this.  Was  it  the  winter's  storm, 
beating  upon  the  houseless  heads  of  women  and  children  ? 
Was  it  hard  labour  and  spare  meals — was  it  disease — was  it 
the  tomahawk — was  it  the  deep  malady  of  a  blighted  hope,  a 
ruined  enterprise,  and  a  broken  heart,  aching  in  its  last  mo- 
ments, at  the  recollection  of  the  loved  and  left  beyond  the 
sea :  was  it  some  or  all  of  these  united,  that  hurried  this  for- 
saken company  to  their  melancholy  fate? 

'  And  is  it  possible  that  neither  of  these  causes,  that  not 
all  combined,  were  able  to  blast  this  bud  of  hope  ?  Is  it 
possible,  that  from  a  beginning  so  feeble,  so  frail,  so  worthy, 
not  so  much  of  admiration  as  of  pity,  there  has  gone  forth  a 
progress  so  steady,  a  growth  so  wonderful,  an  expansion  so 
ample,  a  reality  so  important,  a  promise,  yet  to  be  fulfilled, 
so  glorious  ?' 

The  destination  of  the  Pilgrims  was  the  mouth  of  the  Hud- 
son ;  but  by  the  treachery  of  their  captain,  who  is  supposed 
to  have  been  bribed  by  the  Dutch,  interested  in  the  colony 
of  New  Amsterdam,  they  were  conducted  to  the  inhospitable 
coast  of  Massachusetts.  They  did  not  make  the  land  till 
the  ninth  of  November.  On  the  next  day  they  cast  anchor 
in  the  harbour  of  Cape  Cod. 

Before  landing,  they  adopted  a  solemn  compact  or  consti- 
tution of  government  in  the  following  words  : 

'  In  the  name  of  God,  amen ;  we,  whose  names  are  under- 
written, the  loyal  subjects  of  our  dread  sovereign  King  James, 
having  undertaken  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  advancement  of 
the  Christian  faith,  and  honour  of  our  king  and  country,  a 
voyage  to  plant  the  first  colony  in  the  northern  parts  of  Vir- 
ginia, do  by  these  presents,  solemnly  and  mutually,  in  the 
presence  of  God,  and  of  one  another,  covenant  and  combine 
ourselves  together,  into  a  civil  body  politic,  for  our  better 
ordering  and  preservation,  and  furtherance  of  the  ends  afore- 
said ;  and  by  virtue  hereof,  to  enact,  constitute,  and  frame 
such  just  and  equal  laws,  ordinances,  acts,  constitutions,  and 
offices,  from  time  to  time,  as  shall  be  thought  most  conve- 
nient for  the  general  good  of  the  colony.  Unto  which  we 
promise  all  due  submission  and  obedience.' 


What  was  the  destination  of  the  Pil- 


grims 


Why  did  they  not  land  there  ? 

7* 


Whither  were  they  conducted  ? 


What  was  their  constitution  ? 


78  LANDING    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

This  instrument  was  signed  by  the  men,  forty-one  in 
number ;  and  they,  with  their  families,  amounted  to  one  hun- 
dred and  one  persons.  As  soon  as  their  covenant  or  contract 
was  signed,  Mr.  John  Carver  was  unanimously  chosen  their 
governor  for  one  year 

The  inclemency  of  the  season  was  very  unfavourable  to 
their  undertaking.  Several  days  were  spent  in  searching  for 
a  suitable  place  to  land,  and  much  hardship  was  endured  by 
those  who  went  in  the  boats  for  this  purpose.  Some  traces 
of  the  Indians  were  discovered — a  heap  of  maize,  a  burial 
place,  and  four  or  five  deserted  wigwams.  On  the  8th  of 
December,  Carver,  Bradford,  "Winslow,  Standish,  and  eight 
or  ten  seamen,  being  on  shore  near  Namskeket,  on  Great 
Meadow  Creek,  were  assailed  by  a  party  of  Indians,  who 
welcomed  them  with  the  war  whoop,  and  a  flight  of  arrows. 
On  the  same  day,  they  were  near  being  wrecked  in  their 
shallop  as  they  were  seeking  a  harbour.  They  escaped  this 
danger,  however,  and  landed  at  night  on  a  small  island.  Here 
they  kept  the  Christian  Sabbath  with  strict  observance,  and 
on  the  day  following,  December  11,  found  the  long  sought 
harbour,  to  which,  in  grateful  remembrance  of  the  friends 
they  had  left  at  their  last  port  in  England,  they  gave  the 
name  of  Plymouth. 

In  a  few  days  the  Mayflower  was  safely  moored  in  Ply- 
mouth harbour ;  the  surrounding  country  was  then  explored, 
and  a  high  ground  facing  the  bay,  where  the  land  was  cleared 
and  the  water  good,  was  selected  for  building. 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  December,  1620,  after  im- 
ploring the  divine  guidance  and  blessing,  the  Pilgrims  landed 
on  the  rock  of  Plymouth.  The  spot  which  their  footsteps 
first  touched,  on  this  memorable  occasion,  has  ever  since  been 
regarded  by  their  descendants  as  sacred,  and  the  day  is  still 
celebrated  with  all  the  enthusiasm  of  religion  and  patriotism. 

When  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims  was  effected,  their  diffi- 
culties and  distresses  were  but  just  begun.  We  are  to  recol- 
lect that  it  was  in  the  depth  of  a  New  England  winter,  that 
their  company  was  already  suffering  with  colds,  lung  fevers, 
and  incipient  consumptions,  contracted  by  their  exposure  to 
snow,  rain,  and  the  beating  surf,  in  exploring  the  coast ;  that 
their  stock  of  provisions  was  scanty ;  and  that  the  care  of 
their  wives  and  children  was  added  to  hardships  which  man- 
hood was  hardly  able  to  encounter. 


Who  was  chosen  governor  ? 
What  befell  a  party  of  them  on  the 
Rth  of  December  ? 


What  passed  on  the  llth  ? 
When  did  the  Pilgrims  land  ? 


DISTRESSES   OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


Landing  of  the  Pilgrims. 


The  month  of  January  was  spent  in  erecting  such  tene- 
ments as  their  scanty  means  afforded.  Sickness  atte'nded  them, 
and  mortality  thinned  their  numbers  through  the  winter :  and 
it  was  not  until  the  spring  was  far  advanced  that  health  re- 
visited the  remnant  of  the  colony.  Half  their  number  had 
perished.  Carver,  their  first  governor,  died  in  March,  and 
William  Bradford  was  chosen  to  succeed  him. 

Privation  and  want  were  still  to  be  endured.  A  reinforce- 
ment of  emigrants,  which  came  out  in  the  autumn  of  1621, 
brought  no  supply  of  provisions,  and  the  colony  was  com- 
pelled to  subsist,  for  six  months  longer,  on  half  allowance. 
The  scarcity  of  provisions  continued,  with  only  occasional 
relief,  for  two  years  longer. 

A  mistaken  policy,"  or  a  desire  to  conform  to  the  simplicity 
of  apostolic  times,  had  induced  the  Pilgrims  to  adopt  the 
system  of  community  of  property.  This  was  one  of  the 
causes  of  scarcity.  In  the  spring  of  1623,  each  family  was 
allowed  a  parcel  of  ground  to  cultivate  for  itself;  and  after 
the  harvest  of  that  year,  no  general  want  of  food  was  ex- 
perienced. , 

A  profitable  commerce  was  established  with  the  Indians. 
European  trinkets  were  exchanged  for  furs,  and  the  colonists 
were  at  length  enabled  to  barter  corn  with  them  for  the  pro- 
ducts of  the  chase.  The  Indians  were  not  numerous  in  the 
vicinity  of  Plymouth,  for  before  the  arrival  of  the  English,  a 
sweeping  pestilence  had  carried  off  whole  tribes  of  them,  but 


How  was  their  first  winter  passed  ? 

When  did  Carver  die  ? 

Who  succeeded  him  ? 

When  did  a  reinforcement  arrive  ? 

What  cause  of  distress  remained  ? 

For  how  long  a  time  ? 


What  mistake  was  made  by  the  Pil 


gnms  f 

When  was  it  rectified  ?     How  ? 
With  whom  did  they  trade  ? 
In  what  commodities  ? 
What  had  thinned  the  Indians  / 


80  ASSA60IT. 

enough  were  left  to  render  a  sort  of  military  organisation 
necessary  for  the  defence  of  the  colony,  and  Captain  Miles 
Standish,  a  man  of  great  courage  and  fortitude,  obtained  tho 
chief  command. 

In  March,  1621,  the  colonists  were  visited  by  Samoset,  a 
chief  of  the  Wampanoags,  who  bade  them  welcome,  and  in 
the  name  of  his  tribe  gave  them  permission  to  occupy  the 
soil,  which  there  was  no  one  of  the  original  possessors  alive 
to  claim. 

In  the  same  month,  Massasoit,  the  greatest  king  of  the 
neighbouring  Indians,  paid  them  a  visit,  and  entered  into  a 
league  of  friendship,  which  was  inviolably  observed  for 
upwards  of  fifty  years. 

This  event  was  followed  by  others  of  the  same  character. 
A  sachem  who  had  threatened  hostilities  was  compelled  to 
sue  for  peace,  and  nine  chiefs  subscribed  an  instrument  of 
submission  to  King  James.  Canonicus,  the  sachem  of  the 
Narragansetts,  sent  a  bundle  of  arrows  wrapped  in  a  rattle- 
snake's skin  to  the  governor,  in  token  of  defiance  ;  but  Brad- 
ford coolly  stuffed  the  skin  with  powder  and  shot,  and  re- 
turned it.  The  Indian's  courage  failed  at  the  sight  of  this 
unequivocal  symbol ;  and  he  followed  the  example  of  his 
countrymen  by  subscribing  a  treaty  of  peace. 

Another  colony  was  the  means  of  involving  the  Plymouth 
settlers  in  an  Indian  war.  Weston,  one  of  the  London  ad- 
venturers, had  been  induced,  by  the  hope  of  a  lucrative  trade, 
to  obtain  a  patent  for  land  near  Weymouth  in  Massachusetts 
Bay,  and  sent  over  a  company  of  sixty  men,  who  settled  on 
the  soil,  intruded  themselves  on  the  hospitality  of  the  Ply- 
mouth colony,  were  idle  and  dissolute,  and  finally  exasperated 
1623  ^e  Indians  so  much  by  their  repeated  aggressions, 
that  a  plot  was  formed  for  the  entire  extermination 
of  the  English.  This  plot  was  revealed  by  Massasoit.  The 
governor,  on  receiving  intelligence  of  it,  ordered  Standish  to 
take  a  party  with  him  to  the  new  settlement,  and,  if  he 
should  discover  signs  of  a  plot,  to  fall  on  the  conspirators. 
Standish  took  but  eight  men;  and,  proceeding  at  once  to  the 
scene  of  action,  was  insulted  and  threatened  by  the  natives. 
Watching  a  favourable  opportunity,  he  attacked  them,  kill- 
ed several,  and  put  the  rest  to  flight.  The  Indian  wo- 


Who  was  the  military  leader  of  the 

Pilgrims  > 
Who  visited  them  ? 
Who  made  a  treaty  with  them  ? 
What  events  followed  ? 


Tell  the  story  of  Canonicus. 
What  is  said  of  the  Weymouth  co- 
lony ? 

Of  the  Indians  ? 
Of  Slandish  ? 


TREACHERY    OF    PIERCE 


8i 


Treaty  with  Massasoit. 

men  were  treated  kindly,  and  sent  away.  This  decisive 
action  broke  up  the  conspiracy,  and  dispersed  the  tribes  who 
had  formed  it.  The  Weymouth  colony  was  soon  after  aban- 
doned, and  the  settlers  returned  to  England. 

The  London  merchants,  who  had  lent  money  to  the  Pil- 
grims on  their  departure  from  England,  had  been  admitted  to 
a  sort  of  partnership  in  the  colony,  which  was  afterwards 
productive  of  much  inconvenience.  These  merchants  used 
their  power  for  the  purpose  of  making  severe  restrictions  and 
exactions.  They  refused  a  passage  to  Mr.  Robinson,  who 
wished  to  join  his  friends  in  Plymouth  ;  endeavoured  to  force 
upon  the  colony  a  clergyman  whose  religious  opinions  were 
at  variance  with  their  own ;  and  even  attempted  to  injure 
their  commerce  by  rivalry,  extorting  from  them  exorbitant 
profits  on  supplies,  and  excessive  usury  on  money.  The 
emigrants  bore  all  this  patiently,  and  at  last  succeeded  in 
buying  out  the  entire  rights  of  the  London  adventurers,  and 
relieving  themselves  from  debt,  and  its  unpleasant  conse- 
quences. 

The  first  patent  of  Plymouth  had  been  taken  out  at  the 
instance  of  Sir  Ferdinand  Gorges,  in  the  name  of  John 
Pierce,  as  trustee  for  the  adventurers.  When  the  enterprise 
assumed  a  promising  aspect,  this  man  secretly  procured  an- 
other patent  of  larger  extent,  for  his  own  benefit,  intending 
to  hold  the  adventurers  as  his  tenants. 

He  accordingly  sent  out  ships  for  New  England  ;  but  they 
were  driven  back  repeatedly  by  storms  ;  and  the  losses  he 


What  was  the  end  of  the  Weymouth 
colony  ? 

What  is  said  of  the  London  mer- 
chants ? 


How  were  their  exactions  ended  ? 
How  did  the  trustee  of  the  Pilgrimi 

abuse  his  trust  ? 
What  misfortunes  befell  him  ? 


82 


GOVERNMENT  OB  THE  OLD  COLONY. 


underwent  compelled  him  to  sell  his  patent  and  his  property 
to  the  company. 

A  patent  was  afterwards  granted  for  the  lands  about  the 
Kennebec  river,  where  a  trading  establishment  had  been 
formed  ;  but  no  charter  could  ever  be  obtained  from  the  king, 
who  still  retained  his  hostility  to  the  Puritans. 

The  population  of  the  old  colony,  at  Plymouth,  increased 
slowly.  Ten  years  after  the  first  settlement  there  were  only 
three  hundred  inhabitants.  But  they  had  spread  over  a  wide 
territory,  and  become  firmly  rooted  in  the  soil. 

The  government  of  the  old  colony  was  strictly  republican. 
The  governor  was  elected  by  the  people,  and  restricted  by  a 
council  of  five,  and  afterwards  of  seven,  assistants.  The 
legislature  was  at  first  composed  of  the  whole  body  of  the 
people.  But,  as  the  population  increased,  they  adopted  the 
representative  system. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

PROGRESS    OF    THE    NEW    ENGLAND    COLONIES. 

THE  old  Plymouth  company  '  for  the  planting,  ruling, 
ordering,  and  governing  New  England,  in  America,'  whose 
extensive  and  very  exclusive  charter  has  already  been  men- 
tioned, had  made  no  other  use  of  its  inordinate  privileges 
than  an  attempt  to  exclude  from  the  trade  and  fisheries  all 
who  would  not  pay  the  company  a  heavy  tax.  No  mono- 
poly could  be  more  odious  to  the  people  of  England  than 
this.  Their  privileges  were  violently  assailed  in  the  house 
of  commons,  and  the  patentees  were  finally  compelled  tc 
relinquish  their  claims.  They  continued,  however,  to  issue 
patents  for  portions  of  their  immense  territory,  to  different 
companies  and  individuals. 

One  of  these  having  been  granted  to  Robert  Gorges,  the 
son  of  Sir  Ferdinand,  for  a  tract  extending  ten  miles  on  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay,  and  thirty  miles  into  the  interior,  he  was 
appointed  by  the  company  lieutenant-general  of  New  Eng- 


or  what  country  was  a  patent  after- 
wards granted  ? 

What  is  said  of  the  population  of  the 
Plymouth  colony  ? 

What  is  said  of  the  government  ? 


What  use  did  the  old  Plymouth  com 

pany  make  of  its  charter  ? 
Who  opposed  their  claims  ? 
Were  they  abandoned  ? 
What  practice  did  they  continue  ? 
What  is  said  of  Gorges's  patent .' 


SETTLEMENT    OF    MAINE. 


83 


land,  with  extensive  powers.  But  this  grant  was  productive 
of  no  permanent  settlement,  and  the  powers  of  Gorges  were 
never  exercised. 

In  1622,  Sir  Ferdinand  Gorges  and  John  Mason  took  a 
patent  for  a  territory  called  Laconia,  extending  from  the  At- 
lantic to  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  from  the  Merrimac  to  the 
Kennebec.  Under  this  patent  Portsmouth  and  Dover  were 
settled,  in  1623.  A  fresh  patent,  for  the  country  between 
the  Merrimac  and  Piscataqua,  was  obtained  by  Mason  in 
1629.  This  was  the  patent  for  New  Hampshire.  Its  early 
progress  was  so  slow  that,  in  thirty  years  after  its  settle- 
ment, Portsmouth  contained  no  more  than  sixty  families. 

In  1628,  a  number  of  settlements  were  commenced  on  the 
coast  of  Maine,  under  a  succession  of  patents  granted  by  the 
Plymouth  council.  But,  as  most  of  these  were  merely  tem- 
porary, having  for  their  object  the  pursuits  of  hunting  and 
fishing,  they  were  soon  abandoned. 

A  district  of  forty  miles  square,  which  was  called  Lygonia, 
and  situated  between  Harpswell  and  the  Kennebunk  river, 
was  settled  in  1630  and  given  up  the  next  year,  the  settlers 
retiring  to  Massachusetts. 

Sir  Ferdinand  Gorges  obtained,  in  1635,  a  patent  for  the 
district  lying  between  the  Kennebec  and  the  Piscataqua,  and 
sent  his  nephew,  William  Gorges,  to  govern  the  territory, 
who  found  some  settlers  on  the  Saco  and  Kennebec  ;  but  he 
remained  in  the  country  only  two  years,  and  it  was  then  left 
without  a  government.  Sir  Ferdinand  still  continued  his 
schemes  for  colonisation,  and  was  subsequently  constituted 
iord  proprietary  of  the  country  by  a  royal  charter. 

New  England  would  have  increased  but  slowly  in  wealth 
and  population,  had  not  the  same  causes  which  drove  the 
Brownists  from  England  still  continued  to  operate.  The 
Puritans  were  constantly  the  objects  of  persecution  in  Eng- 
land, and  numbers  of  them  were  desirous  to  seek  an  asylum 
in  the  new  world.  Several  emigrations  were  consequently 
made  to  Massachusetts. 

Mr.  White,  a  Puritan  minister  of  Dorchester,  in  England, 
had  induced  some  merchants  and  gentlemen  to  join  him 
(1624)  in  sending  out  a  small  colony,  who  began  a  planta- 
tion at  Cape  Ann,  recognising,  however,  the  supremacy  of 
the  Plymouth  settlers.  


When  was  New  Hampshire  settled  ? 

By  whom  ? 

What  fact  proves  its  slow  progress  ? 


What  was  done  in  Maine  ? 

What  was  done  by  Gorges  in  1635  > 

By  Mr.  White  in  1624  ? 


84 


SETTLEMENT    OF    SALEM    AND   CHARLESTOWN. 


In  1627,  Mr.  White  and  his  company  concluded  a  treaty, 
with  the  council  of  Plymouth,  for  the  purchase  of  that  part 
of  New  England  lying  three  miles  south  of  Charles  river, 
and  three  miles  north  of  Merrimac  river,  and  extending  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  A  small  number  of  emigrants, 
under  the  direction  of  John  Endicott,  were  soon  afterwards 
sent  out,  who  laid  the  foundation  of  Salem,  the  first  perma- 
nent town  in  the  Massachusetts  colony,  in  1628. 

The  adventurers  did  not  deem  themselves  able  to  effect  all 
their  objects  without  the  aid  of  more  opulent  partners.  Some 
London  merchants  joined  them,  and  a  charter  was  obtained 
from  the  crown  confirming  the  grant  from  the  council  of  Ply- 
mouth, and  conferring  powers  of  government.  The  supreme 
authority  was  vested  in  persons  residing  in  London,  a  most 
unwise  provision,  as  the  history  of  the  Virginia  company 
sufficiently  proved.  The  patentees  were  styled  '  The  Gover- 
nor and  Company  of  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  England.' 

The  executive  power  was  vested  in  a  governor,  deputy 
governor,  and  eighteen  assistants,  to  be  nominated  by  the 
crown,  and  afterwards  elected  by  the  company.  The  go- 
vernor and  assistants  were  to  meet  monthly  for  business. 
The  legislative  power  was  vested  in  the  body  of  the  pro- 
prietors, who  were  to  assemble  four  times  a  year,  under  the 
denomination  of  the  General  Court,  for  electing  officers,  and 
making  laws  for  the  cpmmon  weal.  The  colonists  were 
exempted  from  taxes  and  duties,  and  declared  entitled  to  all 
the  rights  and  privileges  of  Englishmen,  as  had  already  been 
done  in  the  charter  of  Virginia. 

Under  this  charter  three  vessels  sailed  in  May,  1628,  with 
about  two  hundred  persons,  who  reached  Salem  in  June, 
where  they  found  a  colony  of  one  hundred  planters  under  the 
government  of  John  Endicott. 

Not  satisfied  with  the  situation  at  Salem,  one  hundred  of 
the  company,  under  the  direction  of  Thomas  Graves,  removed 
to  Mishawum,  where  they  laid  the  foundation  of  a  town,  to 
which  they  gave  the  name  of  Charlestown.  Both  settlements 
were  united  under  the  same  government;  and  one  of  their 
first  acts  was  to  form  a  church  and  ordain  their  minister  and 


In  1627  ? 

When  was  Salem  settled  ? 
By  whom  ' 

What  new  company  was  formed  ? 
What  form  of  government  wag  es- 
tablished by  their  charter  ? 


What  exemptions  and  privileges  did 

it  grant  ? 
How  many  emigrants  came  over  ia 

1628? 

Who  founded  Charlestown  ? 
What  was  one  of  their  first  acts  ? 


SETTLEMENT    OF    BOSTON.  85 

ruling  elder,  in  which  solemnity  they  were  joined  by  a  repre- 
sentation from  the  Plymouth  colony. 

The  inconveniences,  which  would  have  resulted  from  that 
provision  of  the  charter  which  required  the  government  of  the 
colony  of  Massachusetts  to  be  resident  in  London,  had  already 
been  foreseen,  and  in  consequence  of  representations  to  that 
effect,  the  charter  was  transferred  to  those  of  the  freemen  who 
should  themselves  reside  in  the  colony.  This  gave  a  new 
impulse  to  emigration,  and  many  persons  of  various  ranks 
prepared  for  their  departure  to  the  New  World. 

The  next  year  (1630)  brought  a  fleet  with  eight  hundred 
and  forty  emigrants,  among  whom  were  governor  Winthrop, 
deputy  governor  Dudley,  and  many  other  persons  of  wealth 
and  respectability.  In  September,  of  the  same  year,  a  set- 
tlement was  formed  at  a  place  on  the  south  side  of  Charles 
river,  called  by  the  Indians  Shawmut,  and  by  the  English, 
Trimountain,  to  which  the  name  of  Boston  was  now  given. 

The  succeeding  autumn  and  winter  were  marked  by  severe 
distress.  Sickness  visited  the  colony,  and  before  December, 
two  hundred  of  their  number  had  died.  Among  these  was 
the  lady  Arabella  Johnson,  the  daughter  of  a  noble  house  in 
England,  who  had  left  the  quiet  and  luxury  of  her  home,  but 
to  leave  a  memorial  of  her  virtues  and  misfortunes  in  the  new 
country.  The  colonists  were  by  no  means  disheartened  by 
their  sufferings,  but  bore  all  with  fortitude,  in  the  hope  of 
transmitting  free  institutions  to  their  posterity. 

In  May,  1631,  at  the  first  court  of  election  in  Massachu- 
setts, _'  that  the  body  of  the  commons  might  be  preserved  of 
good  and  honest  men,'  it  was  ordered  that,  from  that  time,  no 
persons  be  admitted  to  the  freedom  of  the  body  politic,  but 
such  as  were  members  of  some  of  the  churches  within  its 
limits.  This  provision  has  been  much  censured  by  historians 
and  statesmen,  and  the  right  of  the  government  to  make  it 
has  been  questioned.  It  was  subsequently  productive  of 
much  dissension.  It  was,  however,  by  no  means  inconsistent 
with  the  spirit  of  the  age,  and  was  unquestionably  adopted 
from  the  most  upright  and  conscientious  motives. 

The  settlements  gradually  extended  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Boston  and  Charlestown  to  such  remote  points,  that  the 
purely  democratic  form  of  government,  which  admitted  every 


gave  a  new  impulse  to  etnigra- 


What 
tion 

Who  came  over  in  1630  ? 
What  town  was  then  settled  ? 
What  ensued  in  the  autumn  ? 


Who  died  ? 

When  was  the  first  court  of  ejection 

held  in  Massachusetts  f 
What  law  was  made  ? 
What  is  said  of  it  ? 


36  BANISHMENT    OF    ROGER   WILLIAMS. 

fieeraan  to  a  share  in  the  deliberations  respecting  the  public 
welfare,  was  found  to  be  very  inconvenient ;  and  accordingly, 
in  1634,  a  representative  form  of  government  was  adopted. 
The  whole  body  of  the  freemen  assembled  but  om:e  a  year 
for  the  election  of  magistrates,  and  the  freemen  of  each  town 
chose  deputies  to  the  general  court,  who  were  vested  with  the 
full  power  of  all  the  freemen,  and  were  required  to  assemble 
in  general  court  four  times  a  year.  This  form  of  government 
was  retained,  with  but  slight  alterations,  during  the  continu- 
ance of  the  charter.  We  have  here  the  second  instance  of  a 
house  of  representatives  in  America,  the  first  having  been , 
convened  in  Virginia,  June  19,  1619. 

Roger  Williams,  a  minister  of  Salem,  having  put  forth  cer- 
tain tenets,  which  were  considered  heretical  and  seditious, 
1634  '  teno<ing  equally  to  sap  the  foundations  of  the  estab- 
lishment in  church  and  state,'  and  refusing  to  recant 
and  conform  to  the  opinions  of  the  ruling  powers,  was  banished 
the  colony. 

The  heresy  which  he  promulgated  was,  '  that  the  civil 
magistrate  should  restrain  crime,  but  never  controul  opinion  ; 
should  punish  guilt,  but  never  violate  the  freedom  of  the 
soul.'*  His  firmness  on  this  occasion  made  him  the  founder 
of  a  state,  and  classed  him  among  the  most  celebrated  asser 
tors  of  intellectual  freedom. 

His  exile  was  not  a  mere  transfer  from  one  agreeable  resi- 
dence to  another  as  agreeable.  He  was  obliged  to  go  into  the 
wilderness  of  woods  in  the  depth  of  winter  ;  and  when  cast 
out  from  the  society  of  civilised  men,  for  asserting  the  noblest 
right  of  humanity,  he  found  a  shelter  among  the  untutored 
savages.  Pokanoket,  Massasoit,  and  Canonicus,  welcomed 
him  to  their  rude  wigwams,  and  thus  confirmed  a  constant 
friend  and  benefactor.  In  the  spring  he  began  to  build  and 
plant  at  Seekonk,  but  finding  that  this  place  was  within  the 
patent  of  Plymouth,  he  passed  over  the  water  with  five  com- 
panions, and  settled  on  a  spot  which,  in  token  of  his  humble 
reliance  on  the  Divine  favour,  he  called  PROVIDENCE.  Under 
these  circumstances  was  commenced  the  settlement  of  Rhode 
Island — a  state,  whose  history  is  marked  throughout  with  the 
strongest  evidences  of  the  attachment  of  its  people  to  the  prin 
ciples  of  civil  and  religious  liberty. 


What  form  of  government  was  adopted  I  What  is  said  of  Roger  Williams  ' 
in  1634  ?  I  What  town  and  state  did  he  found  ? 

*  Bancroft. 


ARRIVAL  OF  PETER  AND  VANE. 


87 


Banishment  of  Roger  Williams. 


In  1635,  three  thousand  emigrants  were  added  to  the  puri- 
tan colony  of  Massachusetts.  Among  them  were  two  persons 
who  were  afterwards  remarkably  distinguished  by  their  cha- 
racters and  fortunes  ;  these  were  Hugh  Peter,  and  Henry  Vane 
the  younger.  Peter,  who  had  formerly  been  pastor  of  a 
church  of  English  exiles  at  Rotterdam,  was  a  man  of  high 
spirit,  great  energy,  eloquence  and  ability.  Vane,  who  suf- 
fered much  censure  during  his  active  career,  is  now  pro- 
nounced by  impartial  historians  to  have  been  a  man  of 
spotless  integrity  and  pure  mind,  and  a  genuine  martyr  for 
liberty. 

The  freemen  of  Massachusetts,  captivated  by  the  talents 
and  fascinating  manners  of  Vane,  and  flattered  by  his  aban- 
donment of  ease  and  high  rank  in  England,  for  a  residence  on 
their  own  soil,  elected  him  for  their  governor.  He  was  too 
young  and  too  little  acquainted  with  the  country  to  fulfil  with 
success  the  duties  of  so  arduous  an  office. 

The  arrival  of  Vane  was  followed  by  certain  negotiations 
with  other  men  of  noble  rank  in  England,  who  were  desirous 
to  emigrate  to  Massachusetts,  provided  they  could  continue 
there  in  the  enjoyment  of  those  hereditary  powers  and  offices, 
which  were  guaranteed  to  them  and  their  families  by  the 
British  constitution.  Their  proposals  were  received  and 
considered  by  the  leaders  and  freemen  of  the  colony ;  but, 
fortunately  for  their  posterity,  these  sagacious  republicans 
foresaw  the  evils  which  would  result  from  such  an  arrange 
ment,  and  the  proposal  was  accordingly  declined. 

The  colony  was  not  so  fortunate  in  respect  to  another  source 


Who  came  over  in  1635  ? 

To  what  office  was  Vane  elected  ? 


What  proposal  was  made  by  certain 

English  noblemen  ? 
How  was  it  treated  ? 


88  RELIGIOUS   DISSENSIONS. 

of  disorder,  religious  dissensions.  A  controversy  arose  con 
cerning  faith  and  works,  in  which  a  Mrs.  Anne  Hutchinson 
and  two  clergymen,  Mr.  Wheelwright  and  Mr.  Cotton,  es- 
poused one  side  of  the  question,  and  received  the  support  of 
governor  Vane,  while  the  lieutenant  governor  Winthrop,  and 
a  majority  of  the  ministers  and  churches,  contended  as  earnest 
ly  for  the  opposite  opinions. 

Mrs.  Hutchinson  held  weekly  conferences  for  persons  of 
her  own  sex,  and  commented  with  great  asperity  on  the  ser- 
mons delivered  by  preachers  of  the  opposite  party,  whom  she 
pronounced  to  be  '  under  a  covenant  of  works.'  The  number 
and  quality  of  her  adherents  soon  gave  the  affair  a  degree  of 
political  importance,  which  it  could  never  have  acquired  in  a 
community  where  the  church  and  state  were  not  intimately 
connected. 

The  general  court  took  up  the  matter,  and  censured  Wheel- 
wright for  sedition.  This  measure  embroiled  the  parties  still 
further ;  and  the  '  party  question'  of  the  day  was  made  the 
test  of  elections,  and  interfered  with  the  discussion  and  deci- 
sion of  every  public  measure.  The  controversy  lasted  till 
1637,  when  Anne  Hutchinson,  Wheelwright,  and  Aspinwall 
were  banished  the  colony,  and  their  adherents  were  required 
to  deliver  up  their  arms. 

Many  of  the  Antinomians,  as  the  minority  were  called, 
emigrated  to  the  neighbouring  colonies.  A  considerable  num- 
ber found  shelter  with  Roger  Williams ;  and,  by  his  influence 
and  that  of  Vane,  obtained  from  Miantonomoh,  the  chief  of 
the  Narragansetts,  a  gift  of  the  beautiful  island  of  Rhode  Is- 
land. Wheelwright  and  some  of  his  friends  removed  to  the 
Piscataqua,  and  founded  the  town  of  Exeter.  Thus  the  into- 
lerance of  Massachusetts  became  instrumental  in  scattering 
new  settlers  over  the  face  of  the  country,  and  founding  new 
communities  of  men,  who  were  ready  to  sacrifice  all  the  de- 
lights of  social  intercourse  to  the  preservation  of  the  rights  of 
conscience.  Such  men  were  worthy  to  become  the  founders 
of  new  states,  and  to  be  remembered  with  gratitude  by  those 
who  are  now  enjoying  the  blessings  which  they  so  dearly 
purchased. 

Vane,  not  being  elected  governor  a  second  time,  and  having 
witnessed  the  persecution  and  exile  of  the  party  to  which  he 
had  been  conscientiously  attached,  soon  after  returned  to  Eng- 
land, became  conspicuous  in  the  civil  wars,  and  suffered  death 


What  cause  of  disorder  now  began  to 

operate  ? 
What  B  said  of  Mrs.  Hutchmson  ? 


How  did  the  controversy  end  ? 
Where  did  the  exiles  settle  ? 
What  became  of  Vane  ? 


CONNECTICUT    SETTLED. 


89 


for  his  attachment  to  the  republican  cause.  Peter  became 
chaplain  to  Oliver  Cromwell,  and,  after  the  Restoration,  suf- 
fered the  same  fate. 

The  valley  of  the  Connecticut  had  already  attracted  atten- 
tion, by  its  fertility  and  its  convenient  location  for  an  exten- 
sive internal  trade  in  furs.  The  first  proprietary  under  the 
Plymouth  council,  the  Earl  of  Warwick,  had  assigned  his 
grant  to  Lords  Say  and  Seal,  Lord  Brook,  and  others,  in  1631. 
The  people  of  the  old  colony  at  Plymouth  had  built  a  trading 
house  at  Windsor  (1631)  for  the  purchase  of  furs  ;  and  the 
Dutch  had  settled  Hartford,  under  the  name  of  Good  Hope, 
in  1633. 

The  proprietaries  sent  out  John  Winthrop,  in  1635,  who 
erected  a  fort  at  the  mouth  of  the  Connecticut,  and  founded 
Saybrook.  Before  his  arrival,  parties  of  emigrants  from  Mas- 
sachusetts had  already  formed  settlements  at  Hartford,  Wind- 
sor, and  Wethersfield.  The  settlers  marched  through  the 
forest  to  their  new  abode,  accompanied  by  their  wives  and 
children.  This  appears  to  have  been  the  first  example  of 
'  western  emigration,'  which  was  conducted  in  this  manner. 
The  march  of  the  vanguard  of  sixty  Pilgrims,  which  took 
place  late  in  autumn,  was  attended  with  much  suffering  and 
privation. 

Next  year  a  government  was  organised  under  a  commis- 
sion from  Massachusetts  ;  and,  in  June,  a  company  of  one 
hundred  new  emigrants,  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Hooker,  commenced  its  march  from  Massachusetts 
towards  the  new  settlement  on  the  Connecticut,  travelling 
through  the  pathless  woods  at  the  slow  rate  of  ten  miles  a 
day,  encumbered  with  their  families  and  flocks,  and  sleeping 
at  night  with  scarce  any  shelter  but  what  the  woods  afforded. 
This  pilgrimage  is  not  less  remarkable  for  its  romantic  daring, 
than  for  the  high  character  of  its  leaders.  The  new  settlement 
was  surrounded  with  perils.  The  Dutch,  who  were  established 
on  the  river,  were  anxious  to  exclude  the  English ;  and  the 
natives,  who  were  numerous  and  powerful  in  that  neighbour- 
hood, had  begun  to  entertain  hostile  dispositions  towards  all 
European  intruders. 

The  Pequods,  residing  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Thames  river, 
could  bring  seven  hundred  warriors  into  the  field.  They  had 

What  other  places  had  been  set- 
tled ? 

Describe  the  pilgrimage  of  Mr.  Hook- 
er and  his  followers. 

What  dangers  did  they  encounter  ? 

What  is  said  of  the  Pequods  ? 


Of  Peter  ? 

What  settlements  had  been  made  in 

Connecticut  ? 
By  whom  ? 

When  was  Saybrook  settled  ? 
By  whom  ? 


8* 


90  IHB    PE«iUOD    WAR. 

already  committed  repeated  aggressions  on  the  whites,  with- 
out suffering  any  chastisement,  and  they  now  proposed  to  tlif 
Narragansetts  and  Mohegans  to  unite  in  a  league  for  the  uttei 
extermination  of  the  race.  Fortunately  this  design  became 
known  to  Roger  Williams,  who  communicated  it  to  the  go- 
vernor of  Massachusetts  ;  and  having  received,  from  th*» 
governor  and  council,  letters,  requesting  his  personal  exertions 
in  dissolving  the  league,  he  went  directly  to  the  house  of  the 
sachem  of  the  Narragansetts,  and,  although  the  Pequod  chiefs 
were  already  there,  he  succeeded,  at  great  hazard  of  his  life, 
in  breaking  up  the  conspiracy.  Such  was  the  service  which 
the  persecuted  man  was  able  to  render  to  those  who  had  been 
his  persecutors. 

The  Pequods,  when  the  Narragansetts  and  Mohegans  were 
detached  from  their  alliance,  foolishly  resolved  to  prosecute 
the  war  alone.  They  commenced  hostilities  by  murdering 
the  white  people  on  their  borders ;  but  the  Connecticut  settlers 
promptly  raised  a  force  of  ninety  men,  who  were  placed 
under  the  command  of  John  Mason.  The  Massachusetts  and 
Plymouth  colonies  proceeded  to  furnish  their  contingent  of 
troops ;  but  before  they  could  arrive,  the  Connecticut  party 
were  on  their  way  to  the  scene  of  action.  By  a  rapid  march 
they  succeeded  in  surprising  the  Pequods,  in  their  camp  of 
palisades,  before  daybreak,  and,  but  for  the  barking  of  a  watch 
dog,  would  have  destroyed  them  without  resistance.  The 
warriors  rose  at  the  alarm,  and  defended  themselves  with  their 
bows  and  arrows.  Their  superiority  of  numbers  gave  them 
some  chance  of  escape,  until  Mason  cast  firebrands  upon  the 
Indian  cabins,  and  set  the  whole  encampment  in  a  blaze.  The 
confusion  that  ensued  gave  the  English  an  easy  victory.  Six 
hundred  of  the  Indians,  men,  women,  and  children,  perished  ; 
most  of  them  by  the  fire.  Only  two  of  the  assailants  were 
killed. 

The  following  account  is  given  by  Robertson,  of  the  cause 
which  delayed  the  arrival  of  the  force  from  Massachusetts. 

'  The  march  of  the  troops  from  Massachusetts,  which  formed 
the  most  considerable  body,  was  retarded  by  the  most  singu- 
lar cause  that  ever  influenced  the  operations  of  a  military  force. 
When  they  were  mustered,  previous  to  their  departure,  it  was 
found  that  some  of  the  officers,  as  well  as  of  the  private  sol- 
diers, were  still  under  a  covenant  of  works ;  and  that  the 


Who  leagued  with  them  ? 
What  did  they  design  ? 
Who  broke  up  the  league  ? 


Who  remained  hostile ? 
Who  marched  against  them  ? 
What  was  the  result  ? 


NEW    HAVKN    SETTLKP. 


91 


Destruction  of  the  Pequods. 


blessing  of  God  could  not  be  implored,  or  expected  to  crown 
the  arms  of  such  unhallowed  men  with  success.  The  alarm 
was  general,  and  many  arrangements  necessary  in  order  to 
cast  out  the  unclean,  and  to  render  this  little  band  sufficiently 
pure  to  fight  the  battles  of  a  people  who  entertained  high  ideas 
of  their  own  sanctity.'* 

These  troops,  consequently,  only  arrived  in  time  to  hunt 
out  a  few  of  the  fugitives,  burn  their  remaining  villages,  and 
lay  waste  their  corn-fields.  Sassacus,  the  sachem  of  the  Pe- 
quods, fled  to  the  Mohawks,  and  was  murdered.  The  rem- 
nant of  the  tribe,  two  hundred  in  number,  surrendered,  and 
were  either  enslaved  to  the  English,  or  mingled  with  the  Mo- 
hegans  and  Narragansetts.  The  Pequods  no  longer  existed 
as  a  distinct  tribe. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  the  Indians  were  never  danger- 
ous enemies  to  the  colonists,  until  they  had  learnt  the  use  of 
fire-arms.  A  handful  of  English  could  always  march  into 
their  territory,  and  conquer  a  whole  tribe,  before  the  Euro- 
pean weapons  were  brought  into  use  among  them. 

The  successful  termination  of  the  Pequod  war,  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  long  season  of  uninterrupted  peace,  during  which 
the  colonies  of  New  England  continued  to  flourish,  increas- 
ing in  wealth  and  population. 

Settlements  were  constantly  forming,  and  fresh  emigrants 
arriving  from  England.  In  1638,  a  Puritan  colony  was 
planted  at  New  Haven,  under  the  direction  of  John  Daven- 
port, its  pastor,  and  Theophilus  Eaton,  who,  for  twenty  years, 


What  became  of  the  remnant  of  the  I  What  followed  the  Pequod  war  ? 
Pequods  ?  |  When  was  New  Haven  settled  ? 

*  Ncal,  i.  168. 


92 


THE    THREE    CONNECTICUT    COLONIES. 


sustained  the  office  of  governor.  This  was  a  separate  juris- 
diction from  that  in  the  interior,  so  that,  at  this  time,  there 
were  no  less  than  three  distinct  political  communities  in  the 
territory  now  called  Connecticut,  viz.  Saybrook,  under  the 
proprietaries,  Connecticut  colony,  under  a  commission  from 
Massachusetts,  and  New  Haven  colony,  claiming  its  territory 
by  purchase  from  the  Indians,  and  governing  itself  by  virtue 
of  a  social  contract. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


THE    COLONIES   OF    NEW    ENGLAND    UNITED. 

THE  increase  of  the  colonies  in  New  England,  had  already 
attracted  considerable  attention  in  the  mother  country.  Some 
of  those  who  had  fallen  under  the  censure  of  the  government 
in  Massachusetts,  had  returned  to  England,  and  busied  them- 
selves in  exciting  animosity  against  the  colony.  Gorges  and 
Mason,  who  were  rivals  to  the  leaders  of  that  colony,  joined 
in  the  clamour  against  them.  But  there  were  friends  of  the 
colonists  in  England,  who  pleaded  their  cause  with  success. 

Notwithstanding  their  exertions,  however,  an  order  in 
council  was  obtained,  for  preventing  the  departure  of  ships 
bound  with  passengers  to  New  England ;  and  a  requisition 
was  made  for  producing  the  letters  patent  of  the  company  in 
England.  This  requisition  was  evaded.  A  special  commis- 
sion was  then  issued  to  the  archbishop  of  Canterbury  and 
others,  for  regulating  the  civil  and  ecclesiastical  affairs  of  the 
colonies,  with  power  to  revoke  charters. 

When  intelligence  of  this  proceeding  reached  Boston, 
coupled  with  the  rumour  that  a  governor-general  was  on  his 
way  to  assume  the  controul  of  affairs,  the  colonists  began  to 
prepare  lor  resistance.  Money  was  raised  for  erecting  forti- 
fications, and  the  boldest  measures  were  determined  on. 

Mean  time  the  council  of  Plymouth  had  resigned  its  char- 
ter, after  parcelling  out  the  territory  among  its  members, 
which  they  had  already  granted  by  patents  to  others.  They 


Enumerate  the  separate  political 
communities  existing  in  Connec- 
ticut. 

What  is  said  of  the  New  England  co- 
lonies ? 

Of  Gorges  and  Mason  ? 


What  hostile  measures  were  threat- 
ened in  England  ? 

What  was  the  effect  of  this  news  in 
New  England  ? 

What  is  said  of  the  council  of  Ply 
mouth  ? 


PERSECUTION    ON    THE    PURITANS. 


were  not  able,  however,  to  take  possession  of  the  territory 
thus  claimed,  without  the  aid  of  government.  At  their  in- 
stance a  quo  warranto  was  issued  against  the  company  of 
Massachusetts'  Bay,  and  judgment  was  pronounced  against 
its  members.  The  other  patentees  of  the  Plymouth  company 
were  outlawed.  But  the  death  of  Mason,  their  most  active 
enemy,  and  the  civil  disturbances  in  England,  prevented  any 
further  proceedings  for  the  time. 

The  persecution  of  Puritans  raged  with  great  fury  in  Eng- 
land. The  punishments  of  scourging,  mutilation,  imprison- 
ment, and  the  pillory  were  inflicted  on  great  numbers  of 
them  ;  and  when  they  attempted  to  fly  from  their  persecutors 
to  the  safe  asylum  of  the  New  World,  the  ships  in  which 
they  proposed  to  embark  were  detained.  In  1638,  a  squad- 
ron of  eight  ships,  preparing  to  sail  for  New  England,  was 
detained  in  the  Thames,  by  order  of  the  privy  council.  This 
detention  lasted,  however,  but  a  few  days. 

It  has  been  affirmed  by  historians,  that  Hampden  and 
Cromwell  were  about  to  embark  in  this  fleet ;  but  Mr.  Ban- 
croft, in  his  history,  has  conclusively  shown  that  this  asser- 
tion is  without  foundation. 

During  the  civil  wars  of  England,  the  colonies  were  left  in 
a  state  of  peace  and  prosperity.  The  population  increased 
rapidly.  Twenty-one  thousand  two  hundred  emigrants  had 
arrived  before  the  assembling  of  the  Long  Parliament,  and  a 
million  of  dollars  had  been  expended  on  the  plantations. 
Agriculture,  ship  building,  the  fisheries,  and  an  extensive 
commerce  in  furs,  lumber,  grain,  and  fish  were  the  chiefs 
pursuits  of  the  inhabitants.  Their  institutions  of  religion 
and  civil  government  were  highly  favourable  to  habits  of  in- 
dustry and  economy  ;  labour  rendered  their  soil  productive, 
and  the  natural  result  was  a  rapid  increase  of  wealth  and 
population. 

The  members  of  the  Long  Parliament,  being  Puritans 
themselves,  were  disposed  to  extend  every  encouragement  to 
the  Puritan  colonies.  They  freed  the  colonists  from  all 
taxation  on  exports  and  imports,  and  declared  their  ap- 
probation of  the  enterprise  in  which  they  were  engaged.  The 
colonists  accepted  the  courtesy,  but  were  careful  to  avoid  too 
close  a  connection  with  these  unsought  friends. 


What  prevented  further  proceedings  ? 

What  is  said  of  the  Puritans  ? 

Of  Hampden  and  Cromwell  ? 

Of  the  population  of  New  England  ? 


The  pursuits  and  institutions  of  the 

people  ? 

Of  the  Long  Parliament  ? 
Of  the  colonists  ? 


94 


NEW    ENGLAND    COLONIES    UNITED. 


In  1641,  New  Hampshire  was  annexed  to  Massachusetts, 
by  request  of  the  people,  and  on  equal  terms  ;  the  inhabitants 
of  the  former  province  not  being  required  to  qualify  its  free- 
men or  deputies,  for  a  participation  in  the  business  of  legisla 
tion,  by  church  membership. 

As  early  as  1637,  a  union  of  the  colonies  of  New  England 
had  been  proposed  at  a  meeting  of  the  leading  magistrates 
and  elders  of  Connecticut,  held  in  Boston ;  but  it  was  not 
until  1643,  that  a  confederation  was  effected,  embracing  the 
separate  governments  of  Massachusetts,  Plymouth,  Connec- 
ticut, and  New  Haven,  under  the  title  of  the  United  Colonies 
of  New  England.  Their  declared  object  was  the  protection 
of  the  lives,  property,  and  liberties  of  the  whole,  against 
foreign  or  internal  dangers.  The  local  jurisdiction  of  the 
several  states  was  carefully  guarded.  Two  commissioners 
from  each  colony  were  to  assemble  annually  to  deliberate  on 
the  affairs  of  the  confederacy.  The  measures  which  they 
determined  were  merely  recommended  to  the  several  colonies, 
to  be  carried  into  effect  by  their  local  authorities. 

Rhode  Island  was  excluded  from  the  union,  because  it 
declined  to  come  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Plymouth;  and 
the  people  of  Providence  Plantations  and  Maine  were  not 
admitted  on  account  of  the  want  of  harmony  between  their 
religious  views  and  those  of  the  members  of  the  confederacy. 

One  of  the  chief  offices  of  the  commissioners  of  the  United 
Colonies  was  the  regulation  of  Indian  affairs ;  and  their  in- 
tervention was  required  soon  after  they  had  become  organised. 
Miantonomoh,  the  sachem  of  the  Narragansetts,  prompted 
by  an  ancient  grudge  against  Uncas,  chief  of  the  Mohegans, 
suddenly  gathered  his  warriors,  to  the  number  of  1000,  and 
fell  upon  the  hated  tribe  with  great  fury.  He  was  defeated 
and  taken  prisoner ;  and  Uncas  applied  to  the  commissioners 
for  advice  respecting  the  manner  in  which  he  should  be  dis- 
posed of.  They  inquired  into  the  circumstances  of  the  affair 
and  finding  that  Miantonomoh  had  killed  a  servant  of  Uncas 
in  time  of  peace,  they  pronounced  him  guilty  of  murder. 
How  far  an  independent  chieftain  was  amenable  to  their  tri- 
bunal may  be  doubted.  The  Indian  customs  warranted  his 
execution,  and  accordingly  he  was  put  to  death  by  Uncas 
himself,  on  a  spot  beyond  the  jurisdiction  of  the  colony. 


Of  New  Hampshire  ? 

What  was  done  in  1637  ? 

In  1643? 

What  was  the  object  of  this  union  ? 


What  colonies  were  excluded  ? 
Why? 

Relate  the    affair  of  Miantonomon 
and  Uncas. 


ROGER    WILLIAMS    IN    ENGLAND. 


95 


His  tribe  were  greatly  exasperated,  but  durst  not  attempt  to 
avenge  his  death. 

In  1646,  the  people  of  Connecticut  purchased  the  territory 
at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  from  the  assigns  of  the  Earl  of 
Warwick. 

Rhode  Island,  having  been  excluded  from  the  union  of  the 
colonies,  sought  the  immediate  protection  of  the  mother 
country.  For  this  purpose  the  government  despatched  Roger 
Williams  himself,  the  founder  of  the  colony,  to  England.  He 
was  warmly  received  by  the  republicans,  who  had  then  the 
controul  of  affairs,  and  found  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  from 
parliament,  a  free  and  absolute  charter  of  civil  government. 

On  his  return,  he  took  letters  of  safe  conduct  from  parlia- 
ment, and  landed  at  Boston,  whence,  it  will  be  recollected, 
he  had  been  banished  with  an  ignominy  as  signal  as  his  return 
was  now  triumphant.  His  return  to  his  own  state  was 
marked  with  every  demonstration  of  joy  and  welcome.  On 
his  arrival  at  Seekonk,  he  was  met  by  a  fleet  of  canoes, 
manned  by  the  people  of  Providence,  and  conducted  joyously 
to  the  opposite  shore. 

The  affairs  of  Rhode  Island  were  not  yet  finally  settled. 
The  executive  council  in  England  had  granted  to  Coddington 
a  separate  jurisdiction  of  the  islands.  Justly  apprehending 
that  this  would  lead  to  the  speedy  dissolution  of  their  little 
state,  and  the  annexation  of  its  ports  to  the  neighbouring  go- 
vernments, the  people  sent  Williams  again  to  England,  ac- 
companied by  John  Clark;  and  the  danger  was  removed  by 
the  rescinding  of  Coddington's  commission,  and  the  confirma- 
tion of  the  charter.  (1652.) 

The  province  of  Maine  had  made  but  little  progress  under 
the  auspices  of  Sir  Ferdinand  Gorges,  as  lord  proprietary. 
He  had  granted  a  city  charter  to  the  town  of  York,  which 
contained  some  300  inhabitants,  and  sent  out  his  cousin 
Thomas,  to  support  the  dignity  of  a  deputy  governor.  He 
had  expended  much  time  and  money  on  his  favourite  scheme 
of  colonisation,  but  died  at  an  advanced  age,  without  realis- 
ing any  benefit  from  it. 

After  his  death  a  dispute  arose  between  the  colonists  who 
were  settled  under  his  charter,  and  those  who  had  settled 
under  Rigby's  patent,  for  Lygonia.  The  magistrates  of  the 


What  took  place  in  1646  ? 
What  is  related  of  Roger  Williams  ? 
How  was    he  received  on  his  re- 
turn? 


What  was  the  occasion  of  his  second 

visit  to  England  ? 
What  was  the  result  ? 
What  is  related  of  Gorges  ? 
What  dispute  arose  after  his  death  t 


00 


MAINE    UNITED    WITH    MASSACHUSETTS. 


neighbouring  colony  of  Massachusetts  were  appealed  to  by 
both  parties  ;  and  after  a  hearing,  the  litigants  were  informed 
that  neither  had  a  clear  right,  and  were  recommended  to  live 
in  peace.  The  heirs  of  Gorges  seemed  to  have  forgotten  the 
care  of  his  colony,  and  his  agents  withdrew.  Under  these 
circumstances,  the  inhabitants  of  Piscataqua,  York,  and  Wells 
accepted  the  offer  of  Massachusetts  to  place  themselves  under 
1650  her  protection.  The  province  was  formally  annexed 
to  the  Bay  colony,  and  the  towns,  situated  farther  east, 
readily  sent  in  their  adhesion. 

In  1655,  Oliver  Cromwell  offered  the  people  of  New  Eng- 
land a  settlement  in  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  provided  they 
would  emigrate  thither,  and  possess  its  fertile  lands,  and 
orange  groves.  But  the  people  were  too  much  attached  to  the 
country  of  their  adoption  to  listen  to  such  a  proposal.  They 
would  have  considered  it  a  species  of  sacrilege,  to  abandon 
to  the  savages  the  consecrated  asylum  of  their  religion. 
The  protector's  offer  was  respectfully  declined. 

The  religious  sentiments  of  the  Puritan  colonists  gave  a 
peculiar  character  to  all  their  institutions.  Religion  was 
with  them  an  affair  of  state ;  and  to  preserve  its  purity  was 
considered  a  paramount  duty  of  the  civil  magistrate.  We 
have  seen  the  effects  of  this  principle  in  the  history  of  the 
Antinomian  controversy,  which  led  to  the  expulsion  of  Anne 
Hutchinson,  and  her  disciples.  It  was  now  applied  to  the 
Anabaptists  and  Quakers. 

Clarke,  a  baptist  of  Rhode  Island,  of  exemplary  character, 
was  fined  for  preaching  at  Lynn,  and  Holmes,  for  refusing  to 
pay  a  fine,  inflicted  for  his  religious  opinions,  was  publicly 
whipped. 

The  union  of  church  and  state  had  become  so  intimate 
that  offences  against  religion,  as  it  was  understood  by  the 
governing  powers,  were  treated  as  civil  crimes.  Absence 
from  public  worship  was  punished  by  a  fine.  The  utterance 
of  certain  opinions  was  denounced  as  blasphemy,  and  visited 
with  fine,  imprisonment,  exile,  or  death.  Ministers  not 
ordained  in  the  regular  manner,  were  silenced  by  the  public 
authorities ;  and  the  very  men,  who  had  fled  from  England 
to  gain  an  asylum  for  religious  freedom,  were  refusing  the 
slightest  toleration  to  any  religious  opinions  but  their  own. 

It  is  not  surprising  that,  in  this  state  of  the  colony,  certain 

How  was  it  settled  ?  What  sects  were  now  persecuted  ? 

To  what  colony  was  Maine  annexed  ?  Why  ? 

What  offer  was  made  by  Cromwell  ?  What  measures  were  taken  by  tb» 

Was  it  accepted  ?  government  ? 


PERSECUTION    OF    QUAKERS.  97 

members  of  the  society  of  Friends,  who  came  into  Massachu 
setts,  and  made  known  their  sentiments,  were  dealt  with  in  a 
summary  manner.  Mary  Fisher  and  Ann  Austin,  members 
of  the  society,  who  arrived  in  Boston  in  July,  1656,  were 
put  in  close  custody  for  five  weeks,  and  then  banished.  A 
special  law  was  passed,  prohibiting  their  admission  into  the 
colony;  and  a  fine  was  imposed  on  such  as  should  entertain 
them.  The  Quakers  not  being  deterred  from  visiting  the 
forbidden  ground  by  these  regulations,  a  law  was  finally 
passed  which  banished  them  on  pain  of  death.  Several 
persons  were  actually  hanged  under  this  enactment.  Such 
proceedings  evince  at  once  the  peculiar  delusion  of  the  times, 
:md  the  dangerous  tendency  of  a  union  of  church  and  state. 
i  is  fortunate  that  this  delusion  was  temporary ;  and  that  the 
unnatural  combination  which  led  to  it,  was  soon  dissolved. 

The  people  of  New  England  were  early  impressed  with 
the  importance  of  a  provision  for  general  instruction.  In 
1647,  a  law  was  passed  for  the  establishment  of  public 
schools,  requiring  one  in  every  township  containing  fifty 
householders  ;  and  a  grammar  school  where  boys  could  be 
fitted  for  college  in  every  town  containing  one  hundred 
families.  A  sum  equal  to  a  year's  rate  of  the  whole  colony 
of  Massachusetts  had  been  voted  for  the  erection  of  a  college, 
in  1636;  and  in  1638,  John  Harvard,  who  died  soon  after 
his  arrival  in  this  country,  bequeathed  half  his  estate  and  all 
his  library  to  the  college.  The  institution  has  ever  since 
borne  his  name.  It  was  supported  with  great  zeal  not  only 
by  the  inhabitants  of  the  Bay  colony,  but  by  all  the  other 
members  of  the  New  England  confederacy  ;  and  the  example 
of  Massachusetts  was  followed  by  the  others  in  the  establish 
ment  of  public  schools.  The  benefits  of  this  early  and  con 
stant  attention  to  education  have  been  felt  in  every  period  of 
their  history ;  and  the  character  which  it  has  impressed  on 
the  people  of  New  England  has  given  them  a  degree  ot 
influence  and  importance  in  the  Union,  which  could  have 
been  acquired  by  no  other  means. 


What  Quakers  were  persecuted  ? 
What  is  observed  of  these  proceed- 
ings ? 

What  law  was  passed  in  1647  ? 
For  what  was  a  sum  of  money  voted  ? 

9 


Who  was  the  founder  of  Harvaitt 


College  ? 

What  other  colonies  founded  school* 
and  colleges  ? 


8  THE    REGICIDES    IN    NEW    ENGLAND. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

NEW    ENGLAND    AFTER   THE    RESTORATION. 

THE  restoration  of  Charles  II  could  hardly  be  considered 
an  auspicious  event  by  the  people  of  New  England.  On  the 
ICCA  contrary,  it  afforded  them  the  strongest  reason  to  ex 

lOOO  i      •  i  e     \  i 

pect  an  abridgment  of  their  commercial  advantages,  and 
an  attack  upon  their  religious  and  political  privileges.  They 
were  accordingly  in  no  haste  to  recognise  the  royal  authority 
In  July,  1660,  Whaley  and  Goffe,  two  of  the  late  king's 
judges,  arrived  in  Boston,  and  announced  the  restoration  of 
Charles  II,  but  represented  the  mother  country  as  being  in  a 
very  unsettled  stale.  They  were  freely  permitted  to  travel 
through  New  England,  and  received  many  attentions  from  the 
inhabitants. 

When,  at  length,  it  was  known  that  the  king's  authority 
was  firmly  established  in  England,  and  that  complaints  against 
the  colony  of  Massachusetts  had  been  presented  to  the  privy 
council  and  both  houses  of  parliament,  by  Quakers,  royalists, 
and  others  adverse  to  its  interests,  the  people  became  con- 
vinced of  the  necessity  of  decisive  action.  A  general  court 
was  convened,  and  an  address  was  voted  to  the  king,  vin- 
dicating the  colony  from  the  charges  of  its  enemies,  professing 
the  most  dutiful  attachment  to  the  sovereign,  and  soliciting 
protection  for  their  civil  and  ecclesiastical  institutions.  A 
similar  address  was  made  to  parliament,  and  the  agent  of  the 
colony  was  instructed  to  exert  himself  to  obtain  a  continuance 
of  the  commercial  immunities  which  had  been  granted  by  the 
Long  Parliament. 

Before  he  had  time  to  obey  these  instructions,  a  duty  of 
five  per  cent,  on  exports  and  imports  had  already  been  im- 
posed ;  and  before  the  session  closed,  the  famous  navigation 
act  was  reenacted.  The  king  returned  a  gracious  answer  to 
the  colonial  address,  accompanied  by  an  order  for  the  appre- 
hension of  Goffe  and  Whaley. 

This  small  measure  of  royal  favour  was  joyfully  received, 
and  a  day  of  thanksgiving  was  appointed,  to  acknowledge 
the  favour  of  Heaven  in  disposing  the  king  to  clemency.  A 


What  is  said  of  the  Restoration  ? 
What  happened  in  July,  1660  ? 
What  was  at  length  done  by  the  ge- 
neral court  ? 


By  parliament  ? 
By  the  king  ? 
By  the  colonists  ? 


THE    KING'S    LETTER.  99 

formal  requisition  for  the  regicide  judges  was  sent  to  New 
Haven,  whither  they  had  gone  ;  but  matters  were  so  ar- 
ranged that  they  escaped  from  their  pursuers,  and  lived  in 
New  England  to  the  end  of  their  days. 

Apprehensions  of  danger  to  their  civil  and  religious  rights 
were  still  felt  by  the  colonists,  notwithstanding  the  bland 
professions  of  the  king.  Rumours  of  a  meditated  attack  on 
their  commercial  privileges,  and  of  the  coming  of  a  governor- 
general  for  all  North  America,  were  seriously  believed. 
This  led  to  the  famous  Declaration  of  Rights  on  the  part  of 
Massachusetts,  in  which  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  colony 
were  very  clearly  and  ably  defined.  Having  thus  declared 
the  terms  on  which  his  authority  should  be  recognised,  the 
general  court  caused  the  king  to  be  solemnly  proclaimed  at 
their  undoubted  prince  and  sovereign  lord. 

Agents  were  then  sent  over  to  England  to  protect  the  inte 
rests  of  the.  colony,  who  were  favourably  received,  and  sooh 
returned  to  Boston,  bringing  a  letter  from  the  king  confirm- 
ing the  colonial  charter,  and  granting  an  amnesty  to  all  po 
litical  offenders  who  were  not  already  attainted  for  high  trea 
son ;  but  requiring  that  •  he  oath  of  allegiance  should  be 
administered;  that  justice  should  be  distributed  in  the  king'? 
name  ;  that  the  church  of  England  should  be  tolerated  ;  ano 
that  the  qualification  of  church  membership  for  civil  officers 
should  be  dispensed  with. 

Of  all  these  requisitions,  the  only  one  which  was  com- 
plied with  was  that  which  directed  the  judicial  proceedings 
to  be  conducted  in  the  king's  name.  The  others  were  pub- 
lished, but  reserved  for  deliberation.  The  agents,  Brad- 
street  and  Norton,  who  had  returned  with  the  letter,  were  so 
severely  reproached  for  not  being  able  to  procure  better  terms 
of  acceptance  with  the  king,  that  one  of  them,  Norton,  actu- 
ally died  of  a  broken  heart.  His  unhappy  fate  seemed  to 
convince  the  colonists  of  their  injustice,  and  his  death  was 
universally  and  sincerely  mourned. 

Rhode  Island  was  not  backward  in  acknowledging  the 
restored  king.  He  was  early  proclaimed  in  the  colony,  and 
an  agent,  being  despatched  to  England,  soon  succeeded  in 
obtaining  a  charter  which  granted  the  most  ample  privileges. 


What  is  said  of  the  regicides  ? 

Of  the  declaration  of  rights  ? 

Of  the  general  court  ? 

Of  the  agents  sent  to  England  ? 

What  terms  were  offered  by  the  king  ? 


How  were  they  disposed  of  ? 

What  is  said  of  the  agents  after  their 
return  ? 

Of  Rhode  Island  and  its  new  char- 
ter? 


100 


NEW    CHARTERS    GRANTED. 


It  gave  to  the  patentees  the  title  of  the  Governor  and  Com 
pany  of  the  English  Colony  of  Rhode  Island  and  Providence 
The  form  of  government,  prescribed  by  it,  was  the  usual  one 
of  a  governor,  assistants,  and  representatives  elected  by  the 
freemen.     It  was  received  with  the  greatest  satisfaction,  as  it 
confirmed  to  the  colonists  the  democratical  constitution  to 
which  they  had  always  been  accustomed. 

Connecticut  deputed  John  Winthrop,  son  of  the  celebrated 
governor  of  Massachusetts,  as  their  agent  at  court,  who  had 
no  difficulty  in  obtaining  a  charter  in  almost  every  respect 
the  same  with  that  which  had  been  granted  to  Rhode  Island. 
It  differed  from  it,  however,  in  requiring  the  oaths  of  alle- 
giance and  supremacy  to  be  administered  to  the  inhabitants. 
By  the  new  charter  New  Haven  was  united  with  Connecti- 
cut ;  an  arrangement  which  was  for  some  time  opposed  by 
the  people  of  the  former  colony,  although  they  finally  con- 
curred in  it.  Winthrop,  on  his  return,  was  cprdially  wel- 
comed ;  and  was  annually  chosen  governor  of  the  colony 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

The  privileges  confirmed  by  these  charters  were  subse- 
quently of  immense  importance  to  the  cause  of  liberty. 

The  English  government  had  i  'ways  questioned  the  righ 
of  the  Dutch  to  their  settlements  in  what  are  now  called  the 
Middle  States ;  the  history  and  extent  of  which  we  shall 
notice  in  another  place.  Charles  II  now  resolved  to  dispos- 
sess them,  and  accordingly  granted  the  territory  to  his  bro- 
ther, the  Duke  of  York,  who  sent  Colonel  Nichols,  with 
four  ships  and  three  hundred  soldiers,  for  i'ne  purpose  of  taking 
possession.  In  the  same  ships  came  /our  commissioners, 
4  empowered  to  hear  and  determine  complaints  and  appeals 
in  causes,  as  well  military  as  ci>fi,  witnin  New  England, 
and  to  proceed  for  settling  the  peace  and  security  of  the 
country.'  Their  real  object  was  to  find  pretexts  for  recall- 
ing the  liberal  charters  of  the  colonies.  (1664.) 

The  people  and  government  of  Massachusetts  were  awaks 
to  their  danger,  and  exhibited  an  admirable  mixture  of  firm- 
ness, and  address  in  a  crisis  so  alarming.  On  the  arrival  of 
the  commissioners  in  Boston,  their  credentials  were  laid 
before  the  council,  with  a  letter  from  the  king,  requiring 


Conrftecticut  ? 

Of  John  Winthrop  ? 

For  what  purpose  was  Colonel  Ni- 
chols sent  from  England  to  Ame- 
rica ? 


For  what    pretended    objects    •t 
commissioners  sent  with  hira  .' 
What  was  their  real  object? 
What  is  said  of  Massacnuseccs  i 
Of  the  commissioner*  .' 


COLONIAL    CHARTERS   ENDANGERED. 


101 


orompt  assistance  in  the  expedition  against  New  Nether- 
lands. The  general  court  was  convened,  and,  after  declaring 
their  loyalty  and  their  attachment  to  the  charter,  voted  a  sub- 
sidy of  two  hundred  men.  Meantime  Colonel  Nichols  pro- 
ceeded to  Manhattan,  and  reduced  the  colony  before  the 
Massachusetts  troops  could  arrive,  so  that  their  services  were 
never  required. 

The  commissioners  now  called  the  attention  of  the  general 
court  to  the  king's  letter,  received  two  years  before,  but  not 
much  regarded.  Their  recommendation  was  complied  with 
so  far,  that  a  law  was  passed  extending  the  elective  franchise 
to  persons  who  were  not  church  members.  The  assembly 
next  transmitted  a  letter  to  the  king,  expressive  of  their  ap- 
prehension of  danger  to  their  rights,  from  the  extraordinary 
powers  of  the  commissioners,  and  concluding  with  these 
remarkable  words  :  '  Let  our  government  live  ;  our  patent 
live  ;  our  magistrates  live  ;  our  religious  enjoyments  live  ; 
so  shall  we  all  yet  have  farther  cause  to  say  from  our  hearts, 
let  the  king  live  for  ever.' 

The  commissioners,  meantime,  had  proceeded  to  the  other 
colonies.  In  Plymouth  and  in  Rhode  Island  they  met  with 
no  opposition.  In  Connecticut  they  were  rather  civilly  re- 
ceived, and  found  no  reason  for  complaint.  In  New  Hamp- 
shire and  Maine  they  decided  in  favour  of  the  claims  of 
Gorges  and  Mason,  and  erected  a  royal  government  in  those 
provinces.  They  then  returned  to  Boston,  and  renewed 
their  disputes  with  the  general  court,  which  were  continued 
with  great  animosity  until  the  commissioners  were  recalled, 
and  Massachusetts  was  ordered  to  send  agents  to  England  to 
answer  complaints  against  their  proceedings.  This  order 
was  evaded. 

Massachusetts,  soon  afterwards,  resumed  her  authority 
over  New  Hampshire  and  Maine. 

After  the  departure  of  the  commissioners,  New  England 
enjoyed  a  season  of  prosperous  tranquillity.  The  king  was 
too  much  engrossed  by  the  calamities  and  discontents  of  his 
subjects  at  home  to  disturb  the  colonies. 

This  state  of  repose  was  interrupted  by  the  famous  war 
of  King  Philip.  This  prince  was  the  second  son  of  Massa- 


The  general  court  ? 
Colonel  Nichols  ? 
Of  the  king's  letter  ? 
What  law  was  passed  ? 
What  was  expressed  in  the  letter  to 
the  king .' 


What  was  done  by  the  commissioners 
in  the  other  colonies  ? 

What  passed  on  their  return  to  Bos- 
ton ? 

After  their  departure  for  England .' 

What  war  ensued  ? 


02 


KINO    PHILIP  S    WAR. 


soil,  but  he  was  far  from  inheriting  the  pacific  and  friendly 
disposition  of  his  father.  He  was  engaged  for  five  years  in 
maturing  an  extensive  conspiracy,  which  had  for  its  object 
the  utter  extermination  of  the  English  colonies.  In  1675, 
he  commenced  hostilities,  and,  by  means  of  alliance  with 
other  tribes,  he  was  able  to  bring  three  thousand  warriors 
into  the  field.  Massachusetts,  Plymouth,  and  Connecticut 
united  in  opposing  him.  The  war  raged  with  great  fury, 
and  with  various  success,  until  August,  1676,  when  Philip, 
after  a  series  of  disasters,  in  which  his  family  and  chief 
counsellors  were  all  destroyed,  himself  fell  a  victim  to  the 
treachery  of  one  of  his  own  tribe.  The  tribes  bordering  of 
Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  who  had  risen  at  the  same  time, 
abandoned  the  war  on  receiving  the  news  of  Philip's  death. 

While  this  war  was  raging,  the  King  of  England  was  en- 
deavouring to  wrest  from  Massachusetts  the  controul  of  New 
Hampshire  and  Maine.  He  had  been  for  some  time  treating 
for  the  purchase  of  these  provinces  from  the  heirs  of  Mason 
and  Gorges,  intending  to  bestow  them  on  his  son,  the  Duke 
of  Monmouth;  but  while  he  delayed  to  complete  the  negotia- 
tion, Massachusetts  purchased  Maine  for  1,200  pounds,  and 
refused  to  give  it  up.  New  Hampshire  having  become  a 
distinct  colony,  the  legislature  expressed  a  lively  regret  at 
being  obliged,  by  the  will  of  the  sovereign,  to  relinquish  their 
connection  with  Massachusetts. 

The  laws  restricting  commerce  were  made  the  subject  of 
dispute  between  the  colony  of  Massachusetts  and  the  crown. 
Randolph,  an  active  enemy  of  the  colonial  government,  was 
sentover  to  act  as  collector  at  Boston.  He  was  almost  always 
unsuccessful  in  his  suits  for  the  recovery  of  duties,  and  finally 
returned  to  England.  The  controversy  lasted  until  Massa- 
chusetts was  compelled  to  relinquish  her  charter.  (1684.) 
Charles  II  died  before  completing  his  system  for  the  complete 
subjugation  of  New  England. 

His  successor,  James  II,  appointed  a  president  and  council 
as  a  temporary  government  for  Massachusetts,  New  Hamp- 
shire, Maine,  and  the  Narragansetts.  These  commiss'  oners 
proceeded  with  great  moderation,  and  were  superseded  by  the 
appointment  of  Sir  Edward  Andros,  as  captain-general  and 


What  was  Philip's  force  ? 

How  long  did  the  war  rage  ? 

How  did  it  terminate  ? 

Relate  the  circumstances  attending 

the  purchase  of  Maine. 
What  became  a  subject  of  dispute  ? 


What  sta^e  lost  its  Charter  f 
Who  succeeded  Charles  II  ? 
What  sort  of  government  did  he  ap- 
point ? 
What  office  did  he  give  to  Andros  ? 


REVOLUTION    OF    1688. 


103 


vice-admiral  of  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  Maine,  New 
Plymouth,  Pemaquid,  and  Narragansett,  with  a  council  to  be 
appointed  by  the  crown,  to  make  laws  and  lay  taxes. 

Andros  arrived  in  Boston  in  1685,  and  revoked  the  charter 
of  Rhode  Island,  notwithstanding  the  submission  of  that 
colony.  Connecticut  would  have  shared  the  same  fate,  but 
the  charter  was  concealed  in  a  tree  until  the  danger  was  past. 
The  charter  oak  was,  for  ages  after,  held  in  remembrance. 

The  administration  of  Andros  was  rendered  odious  to  the 
people  by  a  variety  of  exactions  and  oppressive  regulations. 
Their  land  titles  were  declared  void,  and  new  patents  were 
offered  at  enormous  prices.  The  object  of  the  royal  governor 
appears  to  have  been  to  amass  a  fortune  for  himself,  to  break 
the  charters,  and  unite  the  several  colonies  in  one,  for  the 
purpose  of  effectually  resisting  the  encroachments  of  the 
French  from  Canada. 

Mather,  an  ancient  divine  and  politician,  was  sent  to  Eng- 
land to  obtain  redress  ;  but  the  king  was  inflexible  in  his 
purpose  of  uniting  the  colonies,  and  annexed  New  York  and 
the  Jerseys  to  the  government  of  Andros. 

The  relief  which  he  denied  was  brought  by  the  revolution 
of  1688,  which  was  no  sooner  known  in  Boston  than  the 
inhabitants  joyfully  proclaimed  the  new  sovereigns,  William 
and  Mary.  They  had  already,  on  the  first  rumour  of  the 
arrival  of  the  sovereigns  in  England,  imprisoned  Andros  and 
fifty  of  his  adherents,  and  restored  the  government  to  the 
ancient  magistrates.  This  example  was  speedily  followed 
by  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island. 

.  New  Hampshire  was  re-annexed  to  Massachusetts  by  its 
own  act ;  but  subsequently  separated  by  the  desire  of  King 
William. 

The  revolution  of  1688  afforded  the  people  of  Massachu- 
setts grounds  for  expecting  the  restitution  of  their  charter. 
Agents  were  sent  to  England  for  this  purpose,  but  their  efforts 
were  not  attended  with  success.  The  king  was  determined 
to  retain  at  his  own  disposal  the  appointment  of  governor. 
He  was,  however,  at  length  induced  to  grant  a  new  charter, 


How  did  Andros  proceed  with  Rhode 
Island  ? 

Hov  was  the  charter  of  Connecticut 
saved  ? 

What  were  the  acts  of  Andres's  ad- 
ministration ? 

What  was  his  object  ? 

Who  was  sent  to  England  ? 


For  what  purpose  ? 
With  what  success  ? 
What  brought  relief  ? 
How  was  the  news  received  ? 
What  had  the  Bostonians  done  ? 
What  was   done  in   the  other  New 
England  colonies  ? 


104 


BORDER    WARS. 


although  of  a  less  liberal  character  than  the  former  one.  Tt 
gave  to  the  king  the  power  of  appointing  a  governor,  who 
might  call,  adjourn,  prorogue,  and  dissolve  the  legislature 
at  pleasure.  He  had  also  the  appointment  of  all  military 
officers,  and  with  the  consent  of  his  council,  of  all  officers 
belonging  to  the  courts  of  justice.  The  charter  also  annexed 
Plymouth  and  Nova  Scotia  to  Massachusetts;  but  omitted 
New  Hampshire,  which  always  afterwards  remained  a  sepa- 
rate government. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  new  governor,  Sir  William  Phipps, 
the  general  court  was  convened,  and  accepted  the  charter. 
(1692.) 

While  these  events  were  passing,  a  war  with  France  was 
raging,  which  involved  New  England  and  New  York  in  a 
series  of  bloody  and  desolating  actions  with,  the  Canadians 
and  Indians.  Among  other  atrocities,  the  village  of  Schenec- 
tady  was  surprised  by  a  party  of  French  and  Indians,  and 
many  of  the  inhabitants  massacred.  The  borders  of  New 
Hampshire  and  Maine  experienced  similar  horrors  from  the 
same  unrelenting  enemies. 

Determined  to  carry  the  war  into  the  enemy's  country,  the 
general  court  of  Massachusetts  planned  and  executed  a  descent 
upon  Port  Royal,  under  Sir  William  Phipps,  which  was  con- 
pletely  successful ;  and  all  Acadia  was  subjugated.  Another 
against  Quebec,  in  which  they  had  the  assistance  of  New 
York  and  Connecticut,  failed  for  want  of  decision  and  energy 
in  the  commander. 

The  general  court  was  obliged  to  issue  bills  of  credit  to  pay 
the  expenses  of  the  army — a  measure  which  was  afterwards 
productive  of  much  inconvenience  and  discontent,  as  the  bills 
suffered  a  heavy  depreciation  in  the  hands  of  the  soldiers. 

In  1693,  an  expedition  against  Martinique,  undertaken  by 
the  colonists,  failed  ;  and  in  1696,  Port  Royal  was  recovered 
by  France,  and  all  Acadia  resumed  its  allegiance  to  that 
country.  The  peace  of  Ryswick  afforded  the  colonists  of 
each  country,  as  well  as  the  belligerent  powers  in  Europe,  a 
brief  repose. 

When  hostilities  were  renewed  in  Europe,  in  1702,  the 
terrible  border  war  was  recommenced.  A  treaty  of  neutrality 


Who  granted  to  Massachusetts  a  new 

charter  ? 

How  did  it  differ  with  the  former  one  ? 
Who  was  the  first  royal  governor  ? 
With  whom  was  a  war  raging  ? 
What  colonies  suffered  by  it  ? 


What    was    done    by    the    general 

court  ? 

Sir  William  Phipps  ? 
What  is  said  of  the  bills  of  credit  ? 
What  was  done  in  1693  and  1696  ' 
In  1702  ? 


INDIAN    INCURSIONS. 


105 


oetween  the  governor  of  Canada,  and  the  Five  Nations  of 
Indians,  having  been  negociated,  New  York  was  left  un- 
molested ;  and  the  whole  weight  of  the  war  fell  on  New 
England.  An  ineffectual  attempt  was  made  to  reduce  Acadia 
in  1707,  by  governor  Dudley  of  Massachusetts,  with  an  army 
of  1000  men  raised  in  the  colonies  east  of  Connecticut;  and 
in  1708,  Haverhill  in  Massachusetts  was  burnt  by  the  Indians, 
and  about  one  hundred  persons  killed,  and  many  more  carried 
into  captivity.  Similar  incursions  were  made  along  the 
whole  northern  border,  from  the  river  St.  Croix  to  the  great 
lakes ;  and  the  history  of  those  times  abounds  with  stories  of 
scalping  and  plundering  parties  of  Indians,  attacking  the 
defenceless  villages,  burning  the  houses,  killing  numbers  of 
the  helpless  inhabitants,  without  distinction  of  age  or  sex,* 
and  then  hurrying  back  to  Canada  with  a  handful  of  captives, 
before  a  force  could  be  raised  sufficient  to  resist  or  punish 
the  aggression. 

The  brave  colonists  were  by  no  means  passive  under  these 
injuries.  We  arc  surprised,  in  reading  the  annals  of  this 
early  period  of  their  settlement,  at  the  energy  of  character 
and  extent  of  resources  displayed  by  them.  Believing  that 
the  French  were  the  instigators  of  all  the  Indian  hostilities, 
they  were  constantly  raising  large  fleets  and  armies  for  the 
purpose  of  depriving  them  of  their  American  possessions. 
Expeditions  were  repeatedly  fitted  out  for  Canada  and  Nova 
Scotia,  at  the  sole  expense  of  the  New  England  colonies. 
The  British  government  was  too  much  occupied  in  humbling 
the  pride  of  Louis  XIV,  to  render  more  than  occasional  and 
insufficient  aid  to  the  colonists  in  their  arduous  struggle. 
Some  regiments  were  furnished  for  the  expedition,  which 
took  Port  Royal  in  1710,  and  this  grace  was  acknowledged 
by  giving  the  captured  place  the  name  of  Annapolis  in  honour 
of  Queen  Anne 

A  few  regiments  of  Marlborough's  veterans  were  sent  over 
to  assist  in  the  grand  expedition  against  Quebec  and  Montreal, 
which  took  place  in  1711;  and  failed,  notwithstanding  the 
unsparing  efforts  of  the  colonies  in  raising  men,  and  the 
lavish  expenditure  of  bills  of  credit.  When  the  treaty  of 
Utrecht  at  length  afforded  them  a  breathing  time,  the  colonists 
found  themselves  weakened  in  numbers,  exhausted  of  funds 


In  1707?  Whatis  said  of  the  colonists? 
The  British  government  ? 
What  is  said  of  the  expedition  to 
Port  Royal  ? 


Of  the  expedition  against  Quebec  and 

Montreal  ? 
Of  the  exertions  of  tne  colonists  ? 


106  CONTROVERSY    WITH    THE    CROWN 

and  encumbered  with  a  heavy  public  debt.  They,  no  doubt, 
considered  it  a  hard  case  that  they  should  be  compelled  to 
depend  so  much  upon  their  own  resources.  But  this  was 
the  most  fortunate  circumstance  of  their  condition.  Had  they 
been  perfectly  protected,  they  would  scarcely  have  taken  the 
trouble  to  learn  the  art  of  war.  The  exertions  they  were 
compelled  to  make  in  their  own  defence,  rendered  them  a 
young  nation  of  soldiers  ;  and  paved  the  way  for  the  successful 
assertion  of  their  independence. 

After  the  return  of  peace,  the  New  England  colonies  found 
themselves  embarrassed  with  a  heavy  public  debt,  the  conse- 
quence of  the  unavoidable  emission  of  bills  of  credit  for  the 
payment  of  the  soldiers.  Various  expedients  were  proposed 
'for  relief;  but  the  evil  proved  a  lasting  one;  and  all  the  exer- 
tions of  the  different  legislatures  could  not  prevent  a  constant 
depreciation  of  the  paper,  and  consequent  loss  to  the  holders. 

In  Massachusetts  a  controversy  arose,  (1619,)  which  is 
worthy  of  particular  attention,  as  it  evinces  in  the  people  that 
jealous  guardianship  of  their  rights,  and  that  determined  adhe- 
rence to  a  principle  of  freedom,  once  adopted,  which  runs 
through  the  whole  of  their  history ;  and  which  rendered  that 
state  on  all  occasions  of  collision  with  the  mother  country,  the 
acknowledged  champion  of  the  New  England  confederacy. 

When,  by  their  new  charter,  the  people  of  this  colony  were 
constrained  to  receive  a  governor  appointed  by  the  king,  they 
established  a  system  of  donations  and  free  gifts  to  this  func- 
tionary, undoubtedly  with  a  view  to  attach  him  to  their  own 
cause,  and  identify  his  interests  with  those  of  the  colony. 
Determined  to  break  up  this  system,  Queen  Anne  gave  pe- 
remptory orders  that  the  governors  should  receive  no  more 
gifts ;  and  required  that  the  legislature  should  fix  their  salaries 
permanently  at  a  sum  named  by  herself. 

The  wary  republicans  regarded  this  as  an  inordinate  stretch 
of  arbitrary  power ;  and  offered  the  most  determined  resist- 
ance. This  led  to  constant  misunderstanding  between  the 
governor  and  his  council,  and  the  legislature.  One  of  the 
disputes  related  to  the  right  of  the  governor  to  negative  the 
appointment  of  the  speaker,  and  the  right  of  the  house  to 
adjourn.  An  appeal  was  carried  to  England,  and  the  conse- 
quence was  an  explanatory  charter  favouring  the  governor's 
views,  which  after  some  difficulty  the  legislature  accepted. 


Of  the  public  debt  ?  I  What  gave  rise  to  a  controversy  with 

Of  its  effects  ?  the  crown  ? 

I  Give  iU  history 


FRENCH    WAR.  107 

In  1728,  Mr.  Burnet,  who  had  been  appointed  governor  of 
Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  arrived  in  Boston,  and 
was  received  with  great  pomp.  When  the  legislature  met, 
he  communicated  the  king's  instructions  to  insist  on  an  esta- 
olished  salary,  and  his  own  determination  to  adhere  to  them. 
This  was  the  signal  for  a  new  contest,  and  a  long  series  of 
vexatious  proceedings  followed.  The  legislature  would  readily 
vote  him  a  large  sum  of  money ;  but  they  firmly  declined  to 
bind  themselves  to  any  annual  payment ;  and  the  governor, 
to  exhaust  their  patience,  changed  the  place  of  their  meeting 
from  town  to  town.  The  contest  lasted  for  three  years,  ex- 
tending into  governor  Belcher's  administration ;  and  at  length 
was  terminated  by  the  governor's  obtaining  from  the  king 
permission  to  accept  such  sums  as  might  be  given  by  the 
assembly.  The  people  by  inflexible  firmness  had  gained  their 
point. 

In  1744,  war  broke  out  between  France  and  England.  This 
was  immediately  followed  by  a  descent  on  Nova  Scotia,  which 
had  been  ceded  to  Great  Britain  by  the  treaty  of  Utrecht. 
The  French  governor  of  Cape  Breton  took  possession  of  Can- 
seau  in  Nova  Scotia,  and  made  the  garrison  and  inhabitants 
prisoners  of  war.  He  then  attacked  Annapolis,  but  was  de- 
feated by  the  arrival  of  a  reinforcement  from  Massachusetts. 
These  offensive  operations  determined  the  English  colonists 
to  attempt  the  complete  subjugation  of  the  French  possessions 
in  North  America. 

The  island  of  Cape  Breton  was  at  that  time  deemed  a  high- 
ly important  post  for  the  protection  of  the  French  commerce 
and  fisheries.  Its  fortifications  had  already  cost  thirty  mil- 
lions of  livres,  and  twenty-five  years  of  labour.  It  was  the 
bulwark  of  the  French  colonies. 

Shirley,  who  was  at  this  time  governor  of  Massachusetts, 
had  conceived  the  project  of  conquering  this  island.  Informa- 
tion of  the  position  and  strength  of  Louisbourg,  the  principal 
fortress  on  Cape  Breton,  and  of  the  design  of  the  French  to 
send  a  large  fleet  for  the  conquest  of  Nova  Scotia,  had  been 
brought  to  him  by  prisoners  who  had  returned  from  captivity, 
and  this  confirmed  Shirley  in  his  design. 

He  accordingly  made  application  for  assistance  to  the  Bri- 
tish admiralty,  and  obtained  a  promise  of  the  co-operation  of 
Commodore  Warren  with  a  large  fleet.  Mr.  Vaughan,  SOP 


How  did  it  terminate  ? 
What  took  place  in  1744  ? 
What  was  done  by  the  French  gover- 
nor of  Cape  Breton  ? 


What  is  said  of  that  island  ? 
Of  governor  Shirley  ? 
Of  the  admiralty  ? 


1 08  EXPEDITION    AGAINST    LOUISBOCRG. 

of  the  lieutenant  governor  of  New  Hampshire,  had  convinced 
himself  of  the  practicability  of  the  conquest  of  Cape  Breton, 
and  his  strong  representations  served  to  confirm  tire  governor 
still  further  in  his  favourite  purpose.  He  now  proceeded  to 
act  with  a  decision  corresponding  with  his  high  hopes  of 
success. 

Having  enjoined  secrecy  on  the  members  of  the  general 
court,  he  laid  before  them  his  project.  They  deliberated 
upon  it,  but  soon  pronounced  the  enterprise  too  hazardous  and 
uncertain  to  warrant  their  engaging  in  it.  One  of  their  mem- 
bers, who  performed  family  devotion  in  his  lodgings,  so  far 
forgot  the  governor's  injunction  of  secrecy  as  to  pray  for  the 
Divine  blessing  on  the  proposed  expedition.  It  thus  became 
known  to  the  people;  and  numerous  petitions  were  sent  in  to 
the  general  court,  praying  for  a  reconsideration  of  their  vote, 
and  the  adoption  of  the  governor's  design.  The  colonists 
were  anxious  to  acquire  Louisbourg,  in  order  to  save  their 
fisheries  from  ruin. 

Carried  away  by  the  enthusiasm  of  the  people,  the  legisla- 
ture resolved  to  prosecute  the  enterprise,  and  all  classes  were 
intent  on  the  business  of  preparation.  A  general  embargo 
was  laid ;  funds  were  raised  by  voluntary  contributions  and 
by  an  emission  of  bills  of  credit ;  troops  were  embarked  from 
Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  Maine,  and  Connecticut ; 
and  by  the  middle  of  April,  1745,  an  army  of  four  thousand 
men,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Pepperel,  was  assembled 
at  Canseau,  where  they  were  soon  joined  by  Admiral  Warren 
with  a  considerable  part  of  his  fleet.  They  soon  embarked 
for  Chapeaurouge  bay,  and  the  fleet  cruised  off  Louisbourg. 

A  landing  being  effected  near  Louisbourg,  with  little  oppo- 
sition, Vaughan,  with  four  hundred  men,  marched  round  to 
the  north-east  part  of  the  harbour,  and  set  fire  to  some  ware- 
houses containing  spirituous  liquors  and  naval  stores.  The 
smoke  concealed  the  number  of  the  assailants,  which  being 
exaggerated  by  the  fears  of  the  French  garrison,  they  aban- 
doned the  fort  and  fled  into  the  town.  Next  morning,  Vaughan 
was  enabled  to  surprise  a  battery,  and  hold  possession  of  it 
until  the  arrival  of  a  reinforcement. 

The  troops  were  now  occupied  for  fourteen  nights  in  drag- 
ging cannon  from  the  landing  place,  two  miles  through  a  deep 


Of  Mr.  Vaughan  ? 

Of  the  general  court  ? 

llo\f  wa«  the  project  divulged  ? 

What  was  the  consequence  ? 

What  preparations  were  made  ? 


How  did  the  army  commence  oper* 

tions  ? 

What  was  done  by  Vaughan  ? 
Bv  the  troops  ? 


CAPTURE    OF    LOUISBOURG.  109 

morass,  to  the  encampment.  While  the  siege  was  thus 
proceeding,  the  British  fleet,  off  the  harbour,  captured  the 
Vigilant,  a  French  frigate,  having  on  board  a  reinforcement  of 
five  hundred  and  sixty  men,  and  supplies  for  the  garrison. 
Soon  after  this  an  attack  was  made  on  the  island  battery  by 
four  hundred  men,  which  failed  with  the  loss  of  sixty  killed, 
and  one  hundred  and  sixteen  taken  prisoners.  But  even  this 
disaster  seems  to  have  been  fortunate  ;  for  the  prisoners  united 
in  giving  the  French  a  most  exaggerated  and  formidable  ac- 
count of  the  English  force. 

Deprived  of  his  expected  supplies  of  men  and  provisions, 
and  apprehending  an  immediate  assault,  the  French  governor 
of  Louisbourg,  Duchambon,  determined  to  surrender,  and  in  a 
few  days  sent  in  his  capitulation.  An  examination  of  the 
fortress  after  its  surrender,  convinced  the  victors  that  it  would 
have  proved  impregnable  against  any  assault. 

It  may  well  be  supposed  that  the  news  of  this  important 
conquest  spread  universal  joy  through  New  England.  It  had 
been  the  people's  own  enterprise;  undertaken  at  their  own 
earnest  solicitation ;  fitted  out  from  their  own  resources  of 
men  and  money,  and  accomplished  by  their  own  courage  and 
perseverance.  It  was  a  noble  triumph  of  New  England  spirit 
and  resolution. 

Pepperel  and  Shirley  were  rewarded  by  the  British  govern- 
ment with  the  honours  of  knighthood ;  and  parliament  ordered 
reimbursements  to  be  made  for  the  expenses  of  the  expedition. 
When  Duvivier,  the  French  admiral,  charged  with  a  fleet  and 
army  to  attempt  the  conquest  of  Nova  Scotia,  heard  of  the 
fall  of  Louisbourg,  he  relinquished  the  expedition  and  returned 
to  Europe. 

Shirley  now  wrote  to  the  British  government  for  reinforce- 
ments of  men  and  ships,  for  the  purpose  of  attempting  the 
conquest  of  Canada,  and  raised  a  large  body  of  forces  in  the 
colonies.  But  before  offensive  operations  could  be  com- 
menced, news  was  brought  that  the  Duke  d'Anville  had  ar- 
rived in  Nova  Scotia  with  a  formidable  armament,  intended 
for  the  invasion  of  New  England.  The  apprehensions  caused 
by  this  intelligence  were  soon  after  dissipated  by  the  arrival 
of  some  prisoners  set  at  liberty  by  the  French,  who  reported 


By  the  fleet  ? 

What  resulted  from  the  attack  on  the 


island  battery 


Why  did  Duchambon  surrender  ? 
How  was  the  news  received  in  New. 


How  were  Pepperel  and  Shirley  re« 

warded  ? 
What    was    Shirley's    design    after 

this  ? 
How  was  it  frustrated .' 


England  ? 

10 


110 


QUESTION    OF    BOUNDARIES 


that  the  fleet  had  suffered  so  severely  by  storms  on  its  passage, 
and  the  sickness  of  the  troops,  that  it  was  in  no  condition  to 
make  a  descent  on  New  England.  It  sailed  from  Chebucto, 
however,  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  Annapolis,  and  was 
again  overtaken  and  scattered  by  a  terrible  storm.  The  ships 
which  escaped  destruction,  returned  singly  to  Franoe.  The 
French  and  Indians,  who  had  invaded  Nova  Scotia,  were 
afterwards  expelled  by  the  Massachusetts  troops. 

The  French  war  was  soon  after  terminated  by  the  treaty  of 
Aix  la  Chapelle,  which  restored  to  both  parties  all  the  posses- 
sions taken  during  the  war,  so  that  the  colonists  had  the 
mortification  of  seeing  their  dear-bought  conquest  of  Cape 
Breton  restored  to  the  French. 

After  the  return  of  peace,  the  legislature  of  Massachusetts 
redeemed  her  bills  of  credit ;  and  thus  restored  stability  and 
vigour  to  her  commerce,  which  had  languished  for  some  years 
in  consequence  of  the  depreciation  of  the  currency. 

The  treaty  of  Aix  la  Chapelle  left  the  question  of  the  bound- 
aries between  the  American  possessions  of  France  and  Eng- 
land unsettled ;  and  the  controversies  concerning  it  were  as- 
suming an  aspect  more  serious  in  proportion  to  the  increasing 
wealth  and  importance  of  the  respective  territories.  The  right 
of  discovery  was  pleaded  on  both  sides,  and  the  right  of  prior 
possession  was  urged  wherever  it  existed ;  but  so  large  a  part 
of  the  country  was  still  unsettled,  and  even  unvisited,  that  the 
question  of  boundaries  opened  a  wide  field  for  discussion. 

The  line  between  Canada  and  New  England,  the  bounda- 
ries of  Nova  Scotia,  and  the  extent  of  Louisiana  were  all  sub- 
jects of  dispute.  The  last  mentioned  territory  had  been 
acquired  by  the  French  in  1722,  when  New  Orleans  received 
the  remnant  of  a  colony  of  that  nation,  which  had  been  planted 
near  Mobile.  It  was  now  beginning  to  flourish ;  and  settle- 
ments were  extending  up  the  Mississippi,  towards  the  great 
lakes.  This  circumstance  gave  rise  to  a  grand  project  for 
connecting  New  Orleans  with  Canada  by  a  chain  of  forts  ex- 
tending along  the  whole  western  and  northern  frontier  of  the 
British  colonies. 

Such  a  design  was  too  important  not  to  receive  the  most 
earnest  attention  of  both  nations.  Its  execution  became  the 
grand  object  of  desire  to  one  and  dread  to  the  other ;  and  was 


What  saved  New  England  from  inva- 
sion ? 

What  were  the  consequences  of  the 
treaty  of  Aix  la  Chapelle  ? 

What  was  done  by  Massachusetts  ? 


subject  of  dispute 
and  England  r 


What  was  a  new 

between  France  and  England  ? 
What    design    was    entertained 

France  ? 


CHARACTER  OF  THK  NEW  ENGLANDERS. 


Ill 


the  central  point  of  all  the  operations  of  the  succeeding  French 
war,  which  will  become  the  subject  of  attention  in  another 
part  of  this  history. 

At  the  period  to  which  we  have  now  brought  our  narrative, 
the  New  England  colonies  had  acquired  no  small  importance, 
not  only  in  view  of  the  other  North  American  communities, 
but  of  Europe.  The  inhabitants  had  displayed  a  degree  of 
hardihood  and  perseverance  in  their  early  settlements,  an  ac- 
tivity and  enterprise  in  their  commercial  operations,  a  firmness 
in  defence  of  their  liberties,  and  an  indomitable  courage  in  their 
wars,  which  could  not  pass  unnoticed.  Their  resources  in 
agriculture  and  trade  were  greatly  developed  ;  and  their  popu- 
lation exceeded  a  million  of  souls.  The  influence  which  they 
exercised  on  the  subsequent  destinies  of  the  whole  country 
was  commensurate  with  these  important  advantages  of  cha- 
racter and  ability. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


COLONISATION    OF    NEW    YORK. 

THE  territory  now  occupied  by  the  middle  states  of  the 
American  Union,  was  originally  settled  by  the  Dutch  and 
Swedes.  In  1609,  Henry  Hudson,  an  Englishman,  in  the 
service  of  the  East  India  company  of  Holland,  set  sail  from 
the  Texel  for  the  discovery  of  a  north-west  passage  to  India. 
On  his  voyage  he  touched  at  Long  Island,  and  sailed  a  consi- 
derable distance  up  the  river  to  which  his  own  name  was 
afterwards  given.  The  right  of  discovery,  supposed  to  be  thus 
acquired,  and  the  favourable  reports  of  subsequent  voyagers, 
induced  a  company  of  Dutch  merchants  to  establish  a  trading 
settlement ;  and  the  States-general  promoted  the  enterprise  by 
granting  them  a  patent  for  the  exclusive  trade  of  the  Hudson 
river.  They  built  a  fort  near  Albany,  which  they  called  Fort 
Orange,,  and  a  few  trading  houses  on  Manhattan  island,  which 
is  now  called  the  island  «f  New  York.  These  events  took 
place  in  1613. 

The  claim  thus  established  by  the  Dutch,  was  regarded  by 


What  was  the  state  of  New  England 

at  this  period  ? 
Who  first  colonised  the  middle  states  ? 


Who  discoveied  Hudson  river?  When? 
Where  did  the  Dutch  form  settle- 
ments ?    When  ? 


112  THE    NEW    NETHERLANDS. 

them  as  valid ;  but  in  the  same  year  the  English,  who  consi 
dered  themselves  entitled  to  all  North  America,  because  the 
continent  was  first  discovered  by  Cabot,  sent  Captain  ArgaL 
from  Virginia  to  dispossess  all  intruders  on  the  coast.  Having 
taken  possession  of  Port  Royal,  St.  Saviour,  and  St.  Croix, 
French  settlements  in  Acadia,  Argall  paid  a  visit  to  the  Dutch 
at  Manhattan,  and  ordered  them  to  surrender  the  place.  The 
Dutch  governor,  having  no  means  of  defence,  submitted  him- 
self and  his  colony  to  the  British  authority,  and  consented  to 
pay  tribute. 

In  the  year  following,  however,  a  new  governor  having 
arrived  at  the  fort,  with  a  reinforcement  of  settlers,  the  claim 
of  the  English  to  dependence  was  forthwith  defied,  and  the 
payment  of  tribute,  imposed  by  Argall,  resisted.  For  the 
better  protection  of  their  claim  to  the  country,  they  erected  a 
fort  at  the  south-west  point  of  the  island.  Here  they  were 
left  undisturbed  by  the  English  for  many  years  ;  maturing 
their  settlements,  increasing  their  numbers,  and  establishing  a 
prosperous  and  '  quiet  little  colony.' 

In  1621,  the  attention  of  the  government  of  Holland  being 
directed  to  the  importance  of  this  settlement  in  America,  they 
granted  a  patent  to  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  embrac 
ing  the  territory  from  the  Connecticut  river  to  the  Delaware, 
under  the  title  of  the  New  Netherlands.  Under  this  com 
pany,  the  colony  was  considerably  extended.  The  city  of 
New  Amsterdam,  afterwards  called  New  York,  was  built  on 
Manhattan  island;  and  in  1623,  at  the  distance  of  150  miles 
higher  up  the  Hudson  river,  the  foundations  were  laid  of  the 
city  of  Albany.  Their  first  fort  in  this  place  was  called  fort 
Aurania,  a  name  which  was  afterwards  changed  to  Fort 
Orange.  The  same  year  they  built  a  fort  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Delaware,  which  they  named  Fort  Nassau.  Ten  years 
afterwards,  they  erected  a  fort  on  the  Connecticut  river  near 
Hartford,  and  called  it  Fort  Good  Hope.  Their  possessions 
were  thus  extended,  or  rather  scattered,  from  the  Connecticut 
to  the  Delaware. 

The  Swedes  were  already  settled  on  the  Delaware ;  and 
the  claims  of  the  two  nations  were  afterwards  the  subject  of 
controversy,  until  the  final  subjugation  of  the  whole  territory 
by  the  Dutch.  The  English  extended  their  settlements  to 


Relate  Argall's  proceedings 
What  happened  next  year  ? 
•Vhat  was  done  in  1621 ? 
fn  1623  «• 


How  far  were  the  Dutch  possessions 

extended  in  1633  ? 
Where  were  the  Swedes  settled  I 
Who  dispossessed  them  ? 


GOVERNOR    STUYVESANT.  113 

tne  Connecticut,  and  after  disputes,  which  lasted  many  years, 
finally  ejected  the  Dutch  from  their  fort  on  that  river. 

During  their  occupancy  of  this  post,  however,  the  Dutch 
received  frequent  assistance  from  their  English  neighbours, 
in  their  wars  with  the  Indians.  So  little  accustomed  were 
the  Dutch  to  this  species  of  warfare,  that,  on  one  occasion, 
their  governor,  Kieft,  was  obliged  to  engage  the  services  of 
Captain  Underbill,  who  had  been  banished  from  Boston  for 
his  eccentricities  in  religion.  This  commander,  with  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  succeeded  in  making  good  the  defence 
of  the  Dutch  settlements.  In  1646,  a  great  battle  was  fought 
on  Strickland's  Plain,  in  which  the  Dutch  gained  the  victory. 

In  1650,  Peter  Stuyvesant,  the  governor  of  New  Nether- 
lands, went  to  Hartford,  and  demanded  from  the  commission- 
ers of  the  United  Colonies  of  New  England  a  full  surrender 
of  the  lands  on  Connecticut  river.  Several  days  were  spent 
in  controversy  on  the  subject,  and  articles  of  agreement  were 
finally  signed,  by  which  Long  Island  was  divided  between 
the  parties ;  and  the  Dutch  were  permitted  to  retain  only 
those  lands  on  the  Connecticut  which  they  held  in  actual 
possession. 

On  the  Delaware,  Stuyvesant  defended  the  claims  of  his 
country  against  both  the  English  and  the  Swedes.  In  1651, 
he  built  fort  Casimir,  on  the  river,  near  New  Castle.  The 
Swedes,  claiming  the  country,  protested  against  this  invasion 
of  their  rights  ;  and  Risingh,  their  governor,  treacherously 
surprised  it,  and  taking  possession,  compelled  the  garrison  to 
swear  allegiance  to  Christina,  Queen  of  Sweden.  Stuyvesant, 
taking  fire  at  this  outrage,  determined  to  invade  and  subdue 
the  whole  Swedish  settlement.  He  accordingly  proceeded  to 
execute  his  purpose,  and  easily  succeeded  in  so  far  intimidat- 
ing the  Swedes,  that  they  quietly  surrendered  the  whole  of 
their  establishments,  and  soon  became  incorporated  with  the 
conquerors. 

During  the  next  ten  years,  Stuyvesant  was  occupied  in 
strengthening  and  extending  the  colony  of  New  Netherlands. 
But  he  was  only  rendering  it  a  more  valuable  acquisition  for 
his  powerful  neighbours.  Charles  II  was  now  (1664)  king 
of  England,  and  forgetting  the  friends  who  had  afforded  him 
shelter  during  his  long  exile,  he  sought  every  pretext  for  a 


Who  took  the  Dutch  fort  on  the  Con- 
necticut ? 
Who  aided  the  Dutch  in  their  wars 


with  the  Indians  ? 


10* 


What  was  done  in  1650  ?    In  1651  ? 
Who   was    the    conqueror  of    New 

Sweden  ? 
Give  an  account  of  the  conquest 


114 


COLONEL    NICHOLS  S    ADMINISTRATION. 


quarrel  with  Holland.  Among  others  he  asserted  his  claim 
to  the  province  of  New  Netherlands;  and,  without  regarding 
the  claims  of  the  actual  occupants,  he  executed  a  charter  con- 
veying to  his  brother,  the  Duke  of  York,  the  whole  territory 
lying  between  the  Connecticut  and  the  Delaware.  No  sooner 
did  the  Duke  of  York  obtain  this  grant,  than  he  conveyed  to 
Lord  Berkeley  and  Sir  George  Carteret,  all  that  portion  now 
constituting  the  state  of  New  Jersey. 

To  carry  the  king's  grant  into  effect,  Colonel  Nichols  was 
sent  out  with  a  fleet  and  army.  After  touching  at  Boston  he 
sailed  for  New  Amsterdam,  and,  anchoring  before  the  place, 
demanded  its  surrender  from  the  governor.  Stuyvesant  was 
for  making  the  best  defence  he  could,  but  being  overruled  by 
the  fears  of  the  people,  who  dreaded  the  storming  and  sacking 
of  their  city,  he  was  induced  to  sign  a  treaty  of  capitulation  of 
the  most  favourable  character.  Private  property  was  respected, 
and  Dutch  vessels  were  still  permitted  to  come  to  the  colony 
for  the  purpose  of  trading  or  bringing  settlers.  The  inhabi- 
tants retained  their  estates,  and  became  incorporated  with  the 
new  comers.  Stuyvesant  himself  remained  in  the  colony  to 
the  end  of  his  life. 

Out  of  compliment  to  the  patentee,  New  Amsterdam  was 
thenceforward  called  New  York  ;  and  this  name  was  extended 
to  the  whole  province.  Fort  Orange  was  soon  after  surren- 
dered, and  received  the  name  of  Albany.  Carteret,  who  had 
been  despatched  to  reduce  fort  Orange,  effected  a  treaty 
with  the  Indians  of  the  Five  Nations,  which  was  productive 
of  lasting  benefits  to  the  colonists.  Sir  Robert  Car  received 
the  surrender  of  the  garrison  on  the  Delaware,  on  the  first  of 
October,  and  the  entire  subjugation  of  New  Netherlands  to 
the  English  was  thus  completed. 

Colonel  Nichols  was  the  first  English  governor  of  New 
York.  His  government  was  absolute,  but  paternal.  On  the 
judicial  institutions  of  the  Dutch,  he  ingrafted  the  trial  by- 
jury  ;  and  having  caused  the  laws  to  be  revived,  improved, 
and  formed  into  one  code,  he  transmitted  them  to  England ; 
where  they  received  the  confirmation  of  the  Duke  of  York. 
On  the  12th  of  June,  1665,  New  York  became  an  incorporated 
city. 

During  Colonel  Nichols's  administration,  (1666,)  a  war  with 


When,  and  by  whom  were  the  New 

Netherlands  conquered  ? 
Relate  the  aifair. 
What  was  the  new  name  of  city  and 

province  ? 


What  was  done  by  Carteret  ? 
Relate  the  events  of  Governor  Ni- 
chols's administration. 


ANDROS  S   ADMINISTRATION. 


115 


Holland  having  broken  out,  apprehensions  were  entertained 
of  an  attempt  to  recover  New  York  by  the  Dutch.  Heavy 
taxes  were  laid  for  the  purpose  of  defence,  and  the  people 
complaining,  Nichols  nobly  sacrificed  his  private  property  for 
the  public  service.  No  attack  took  place,  however;  and  at 
the  peace  of  Breda,  the  colony  was  ceded  to  England  in 
exchange  for  Surinam. 

Next  year  Colonel  Nichols  found  himself  compelled,  by  the 
sacrifices  of  property  he  had  made,  to  resign  his  appointment. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Colonel  Lovelace,  during  whose  ad- 
ministration of  six  years,  the  colony  was  happy  and  prosper- 
ous. Towards  the  close  of  his  term  of  office,  war  with 
Holland  having  again  broken  out,  a  small  squadron  was  de- 
spatched to  destroy  the  commerce  of  the  English  colonies. 
After  having  accomplished  this  purpose  to  a  considerable 
extent,  the  commander  made  a  sudden  descent  on  New  York, 
and  Lovelace  being  absent,  Colonel  Manning,  who  had  been 
left  in  command,  sent  down  a  messenger,  and  treacherously 
surrendered  the  place  without  the  least  opposition.  It  re- 
mained in  the  hands  of  the  Dutch  but  a  few  months,  being 
restored  to  the  English  again  at  the  treaty  of  Westminster, 
in  1674. 

The  Duke  of  York  now  took  out  a  new  patent.  It  em- 
powered him  to  govern  the  inhabitants  by  such  ordinances  as 
he  or  his  assigns  should  establish,  and  to  administer  justice 
according  to  the  laws  of  England,  allowing  an  appeal  to  the 
king  in  council.  It  prohibited  trade  without  his  permission, 
and  imposed  the  usual  duties  on  exports  and  imports.  Under 
the  authority  of  this  charter,  the  Duke  of  York  retained  the 
government  of  New  York  until  his  accession  to  the  throne  of 
England,  as  James  II.  He  first  commissioned  Andros,  who 
was  afterwards  the  oppressor  of  New  England,  to  be  governor, 
under  his  authority,  of  all  his  territories,  from  the  Connecticut 
to  the  Delaware.  In  October  the  Dutch  resigned  their  au- 
thority to  Andros,  who  forthwith  entered  upon  the  duties  of 
his  administration.  During  its  continuance  he  exhibited  much 
of  that  harshness,  severity,  and  rapacity  which  afterwards 
rendered  him  so  odious  in  the  eastern  colonies.  In  1682, 
Colonel  Thomas  Dongan  was  appointed  governor.  His  ad- 
ministration is  memorable  as  the  era  of  the  commencement  of 
representative  government  in  the  colony.  The  royal  proprie- 


Of  Governor  Lovelace's. 
What  were  the  terms  of  the  new 
pafoiit  ? 


Give  an  account  of  Governor  Andros's 

administration. 
Who  succeeded  him  ? 


NEW    YORK   ACQUIRES   CIVIL    FREEDOM. 

tary  having  perceived  in  the  people  pretty  unequivocal  symp 
toms  of  discontent  with  the  arbitrary  system  which  prevailed 
m  Andros's  time,  and  being  solicited  by  the  council,  court  of 
assizes,  and  corporation,  consented  to  grant  New  York  the 
same  form  of  government  which  hitherto  was  enjoyed  in  the 
colonies,  and  accordingly  transferred  the  legislative  power  to 
an  assembly  of  the  representatives  of  the  people.  The  as- 
sembly was  to  consist  of  a  council  of  ten  members,  and  a 
house  of  representatives  chosen  by  the  people,  composed  of 
eighteen  members ;  but  its  laws  were  to  be  ratified  by  the 
proprietary  before  they  could  take  effect.  This  free  constitu- 
tion was  received  by  the  people  at  the  very  period  when  the 
colonists  of  New  England  were  deprived  of  their  charters. 
As  an  admission  of  the  principle  of  representative  government 
it  was  important ;  but  the  people,  having  gained  their  point, 
seem  to  have  settled  down  into  that  happy  and  contented 
stale,  which  required  very  little  attention  either  to  the  fram- 
ing or  executing  of  laws,  since  they  only  had  two  sessions 
of  the  legislature  for  the  next  six  years. 

Although  we  are  not  fond  of  statistical  details,  we  cannot 
refrain  from  presenting  an  extract  from  Graham's  history, 
exhibiting  the  condition  of  the  province  at  this  period.  It  is 
particularly  interesting  when  we  contrast  these  small  begin- 
nings with  the  present  extent  and  resources  of  that  powerful 
state. 

1  The  city  of  New  York,  in  1678,  appears  to  have  con- 
tained three  thousand  four  hundred  and  thirty  inhabitants, 
and  to  have  owned  no  larger  navy  than  three  ships,  eight 
sloops,  and  seven  boats.  No  account  appears  to  have  been 
collected  of  the  population  of  the  whole  province,  which  con- 
tained twenty-four  towns,  villages,  or  parishes.  About  fifteen 
vessels,  on  an  average,  traded  yearly  to  the  port  of  New  York, 
importing  English  manufactures  to  the  value  £50,000,  and 
exporting  the  productions  of  the  colony,  which  consisted  of 
land  produce  of  all  sorts,  among  which  are  particularised  beef, 
pease,  lumber,  tobacco,  peltry,  procured  from  the  Indians,  and 
sixty  thousand  bushels  of  wheat.  Of  servants  the  number 
was  small,  and  they  were  much  wanted.  Some  unfrequent 
and  inconsiderable  importations  of  slaves  were  made  from 
Barbadoes  ;  and  there  were  yet  but  very  few  of  these  unfortu- 
nate beings  in  the  colony.  Agriculture  was  more  generally 
followed  than  trade.  A  trader  worth  £1000,  or  even  £500, 


What  remarkable  change  in  the  form 

of  government  now  took  place  ? 
What  is  said  of  the  people  ? 


What  account  is  given  of  the  condi- 
tion of  New  York  at  this  period  } 
Its  commerce  ? 


THE    FIVE   NATIONS.  11? 

was  considered,  a  substantial  merchant ,  and  a  planter  worth 
half  that  sum  in  moveables  was  accounted  rich.  All  the 
estates  in  the  province  were  valued  at  £150,000.  "Minis- 
ters," says  Andros,  "  are  scarce,  and  religions  many."  The 
duke  maintained  a  chaplain  at  New  York ;  which  was  the 
only  certain  endowment  of  the  church  of  England.  There 
were,  about  twenty  churches  or  meeting  places,  of  which 
half  were  vacant.  All  districts  were  liable  by  law  to  the 
obligation  of  building  churches  and  providing  for  ministers, 
whose  emoluments  varied  from  £40  to  £70  a  year,  with  the 
addition  of  a  house  and  garden.  But  the  Presbyterians  and 
Independents,  who  formed  the  most  numerous  and  substantial 
portion  of  the  inhabitants,  were  the  only  classes  who  showed 
much  willingness  to  procure  and  support  their  ministers. 
Marriages  were  allowed  to  be  solemnised  either  by  ministers 
or  by  justices  of  the  peace.  There  were  no  beggars  in  the 
province  :  and  the  poor,  who  were  few,  were  well  taken  care 
of.  The  number  of  the  militia  amounted  to  two  thousand, 
comprehending  one  hundred  and  forty  horsemen:  and  a 
standing  company  of  soldiers  was  maintained,  with  gunners 
and  other  officers  for  the  forts  of  Albany  and  New  York. 
Such  was  the  condition  of  the  province  about  four  years  pre- 
ceding the  period  at  which  we  have  now  arrived.  Four  years 
after,  (in  1686,)  it  was  found  to  have  improved  so  rapidly, 
that  the  shipping  of  New  York  amounted  to  ten  three  masted 
vessels,  twenty  sloops,  and  a  few  ketches  of  intermediate 
bulk.  The  militia  had  also  increased  to  four  thousand  foot, 
three  hundred  horse,  and  a  company  of  dragoons.  The  aug- 
mentation of  inhabitants,  indicated  by  this  increase  of  military 
force,  appears  the  more  considerable,  when  we  keep  in  view, 
that  some  time  prior  to  this  last  mentioned  period,  the  Dela- 
ware territory  had  been  partly  surrendered  to  Lord  Baltimore 
and  partly  assigned  to  William  Penn.' 

The  administration  of  Colonel  Dongan  was  chiefly  distin- 
guished by  the  attention  which  he  bestowed  on  Indian  affairs. 
The  confederacy  of  the  Five  Nations  had  long  existed  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  colony,  and,  by  a  system  of  wise  and 
politic  measures,  had  succeeded  in  acquiring  a  degree  of 
power  and  importance  never  attained  by  any  other  associa- 
tion of  the  North  American  tribes.  They  had  adopted, 
among  other  practices,  that  of  incorporating  numbers  of  their 
conquered  enemies  among  themselves  ;  and  the  consequent 


What  is  said  of  Colonel  Dongan's  ad-  I  Of  the  Five  Nations  ? 
ministration  ? 


118  TREATY    WITH    THE    FIVE    NATIONS. 

was  the  acquisition  of  many  hardy  warriors,  and  even  distin- 
guished sachems  and  chiefs.  When,  subsequently  to  the 
period  of  which  we  are  now  writing,  the  Tuscarora  tribe 
was  vanquished  by  the  South  Carolina  troops,  it  was  adopted 
entire,  and  thus  gave  to  the  confederacy  the  name  of  the  Six 
Nations. 

Before  the  arrival  of  Champlain  in  Canada,  they  had  drjven 
the  Adirondacs  to  a  position  near  Quebec  ;  but  the  aid  ren- 
dered by  that  adventurer,  and  the  use  of  fire-arms  in  several 
battles,  turned  the  tide  of  war,  and  compelled  the  Five  Na- 
tions to  retreat  into  their  own  country  in  the  greatest  distress. 
The  arrival  of  the  Dutch  in  the  Hudson  river,  at  this  critical 
juncture,  affording  them  a  supply  of  the  fire-arms  to  which 
their  enemies  had  been  indebted  for  success,  they  revived  the 
war  with  such  impetuosity  and  determination,  that  the  nation 
of  the  Adirondacs  was  completely  annihilated.  Hence  ori- 
ginated the  hatred  entertained  by  the  confederacy  against  the 
French,  and  their  grateful  attachment  to  the  people  of  New 
York. 

In  1665,  a  party  of  French,  under  Courcelles,  the  governor 
of  Canada,  marching  into  their  country,  lost  their  way,  and 
arrived  in  the  greatest  distress  at  Schenectady,  where  Cor- 
laer,  a  Dutchman  of  some  consideration,  had  founded  a  village. 
This  man,  by  a  simple  artifice,  saved  them  from  the  ven- 
geance of  the  Indians,  who  were  at  that  village  in  sufficient 
force  to  have  destroyed  their  invaders.  He  gave  them  re- 
freshments, and  sent  them  away.  This  circumstance  was 
gratefully  remembered  by  Courcelles ;  and,  in  1667,  a  treaty 
of  peace  was  signed  between  the  Five  Nations  and  the  French, 
which  lasted  till  the  beginning  of  Colonel  Dongan's  adminis- 
tration. 

Meantime  the  French  had  advanced  their  settlements  along 
the  St.  Lawrence,  and  in  1672  built  Fort  Frontignac  on  its 
north-west  bank,  near  Lake  Ontario;  and  the  Jesuits  were 
conciliating  the  neighbouring  Indians,  and  converting  many 
*f  them  to  the  Catholic  religion. 

Colonel  Dongan,  perceiving  the  danger  of  these  encroach- 
ments to  the  interests  of  the  colonies,  entered,  in  conjunction 
<vith  Lord  Effingham,  governor  of  Virginia,  into  a  definitive 
treaty  with  the  Five  Nations,  embracing  all  the  English  set- 
tlements and  all  the  tribes  in  alliance  with  them.  This  treaty 
took  place  in  1684.  It  was  long  and  inviolably  adhered  to 


What  occasioned  their  attachment  to  I  What  happened  in  1665  ? 
the  people  of  New  York  »  |  What  was  done  by  the  French  ? 


DE  LA  BARRK'S  INVASION. 


119 


Treaty  with  the  Five  Nations. 


In  the  same  year,  De  la  Barre,  the  governor  of  Canada,  in- 
vaded the  country  of  the  Five  Nations  ;  but  his  army  was  so 
reduced  by  famine  and  sickness,  that  he  was  compelled  to 
sue  for  peace,  and  return  in  disgrace.  His  successor,  De 
Nouville,  led  a  larger  army  into  the  territory,  and  met  with 
no  better  success,  being  defeated  with  a  heavy  loss. 

By  the  death  of  Charles  II,  in  1685,  the  Duke  of  York 
succeeded  to  the  throne  of  England.  The  people  of  New 
York  now  solicited  a  new  constitution,  which  he  had  pre- 
viously promised  them,  but  were  coldly  refused.  At  the 
same  time  additional  taxes  were  imposed ;  and  the  existence 
of  a  printing  press  in  the  colony  was  strictly  forbidden.  An- 
other measure  of  James  II,  which  was  highly  injurious  to 
the  interests  of  the  colony,  was  a  treaty  of  neutrality  with 
France,  by  which  it  was  stipulated  that  neither  party  should 
give  assistance  to  the  Indian  tribes  in  their  wars  with  each 
other.  This  did  not  prevent  the  French  from  exciting  hos- 
tilities between  their  Indian  allies  and  the  Five  Nations,  but 
compelled  the  English  to  refrain  from  assisting  these  their 
ancient  friends. 

In  1688,  Andros  was  appointed  governor  of  New  York 
and  New  England.  The  appointment  of  this  tyrant,  and  the 
annexation  of  the  colony  to  the  neighbouring  ones,  were 
measures  particularly  odious  to  the  people.  Andros  re- 
mained at  Boston,  and  appointed  Nicholson  his  lieutenant- 
governor.  During  his  administration,  the  Five  Nations, 
being  at  war  with  the  French,  made  a  sudden  descent  on 


Give  an  account  of  the  invasions  of 
De  la  Barre  and  De  Nouville. 

What  happened  on  the  accession  of 
James  II  ? 


Who  was  made  governor  in  1688  ? 
What  was  the  character  of  his  admi- 
nistration ? 


120 


LEISLER'S  GOVERNMENT. 


Montreal,  burned  and  sacked  the  town,  killed  one  thousand 
of  the  inhabitants,  carried  away  a  number  of  prisoners,  whom 
they  burned  alive,  and  then  returned  to  their  own  country, 
with  the  loss  of  only  three  of  their  number.  Had  the  Eng- 
lish followed  up  this  success  of  their  allies,  all  Canada  might 
have  been  easily  conquered. 

Meantime  the  discontent  of  the  people  had  risen  to  an 
alarming  height,  and  on  receiving  intelligence  of  the  acces- 
sion of  William  and  Mary,  and  of  the  successful  insurrection 
at  Boston,  which  had  terminated  the  government  of  Andros, 
they  resolved  to  imitate  the  example,  and  effect  a  revolution. 

Jacob  Leisler,  a  man  of  eager,  headlong  temper,  and  nar- 
row capacity,  was .  selected  for  a  leader.  He  had  already 
resisted  the  payment  of  customs  on  some  goods  which  he 
had  imported,  and  alleged  that  there  was  no  legitimate  go- 
vernment in  the  colony.  Raising  a  report  that  hostile  opera- 
tions were  about  to  be  commenced  by  the  government,  he 
took  a  detachment  of  trained  bands,  and,  seizing  the  fort,  de- 
clared his  determination  to  hold  it  until  the  decision  *>f  the 
new  sovereigns  should  be  known. 

He  then  despatched  a  messenger  to  King  William,  and, 
by  negotiations  with  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  suc- 
ceeded in  interesting  the  governments  of  these  colonies  on 
his  side.  A  report  at  the  same  time  being  spread  that  an 
English  fleet  was  approaching  to  assist  the  insurgents,  all 
classes  in  New  York  immediately  joined  themselves  to  Leis- 
ler's  party ;  and  Nicholson,  afraid  of  sharing  the  fate  of  the 
imprisoned  Andros,  fled  to  England. 

Soon  after  Leisler's  elevation  to  power,  a  letter  came  from 
the  British  ministry,  directed  '  to  such  as,  for  the  time,  take 
care  for  administering  the  laws  of  the  province,'  and  giving 
authority  to  perform  the  duties  of  lieutenant-governor.  Leis- 
ler regarded  this  letter  as  addressed  to  himself,  and  accord- 
ingly assumed  the  office,  issued  commissions,  and  appointed 
his  own  executive  council. 

A  few  of  Nicholson's  adherents,  Courtlandt,  the  mayor  of 
the  city,  Colonel  Bayard,  Major  Schuyler,  and  a  number  of 
other  gentlemen,  jealous  of  the  elevation  of  a  man  of  inferior 
rank  to  the  supreme  command,  retired  to  Albany,  and,  seiz- 
ing the  fort  there,  declared  that  they  held  it  for  King  Wil- 


What  ended  it  ? 

Who  now  usurped  the  government 
of  New  York  ? 

Relate  the  circumstances  of  his  usurp- 
ation. 


What  circumstance  gave  a  temporary 
sanction  to  his  proceedings  ? 

Who  retired  to  Albany  and  re- 
nounced Leisler  ? 


BURNING    OF    SCHENECTADY.  12 

fiam,  and  would  have  no  connection  with  Leisler.  Mil 
bourne,  the  son-in-law  of  Leisler,  was  despatched  to  Albany 
to  dislodge  them ;  and  an  irruption  of  French  and  Indians 
happening  at  the  same  time,  they  gave  up  the  fort,  and  re- 
tired to  the  neighbouring  colonies.  Leisler,  to  revenge  him- 
self for  their  defection,  confiscated  their  estates. 

A  convention  was  now  called,  consisting  of  deputies  from  all 
the  towns  and  districts,  who  proceeded  to  enact  various  regu- 
lations for  the  temporary  government  of  the  colony.  The 
proceedings  of  Leisler  were  of  so  arbitrary  a  character,  how- 
ever, that  a  strong  party  was  formed  in  opposition  to  him,  and 
every  measure  of  his  government  was  questioned  with  deter- 
mined hostility.  It  was  fortunate  that  the  Dutch  inhabitants 
were  divided  between  these  two  parties,  so  that  national 
antipathy  was  not  superadded  to  party  discord. 

Such  was  the  state  of  affairs  in  New  York,  when  the 
miseries  of  foreign  war  and  hostile  invasion  were  added  to 
the  calamity  of  internal  dissension.  The  condition  of  the 
French  in  Canada  had  been  suddenly  changed  from  the  depth 
of  distress  and  danger  to  comparative  security,  by  the  arrival 
of  a  strong  reinforcement  from  the  parent  state,  under  the 
command  of  a  skilful  and  active  general,  the  old  Count  de 
Frontignac,  who  now  became  governor,  and  speedily  retrieved 
the  affairs  of  his  countrymen.  He  first  succeeded  in  obtain- 
ing a  treaty  of  neutrality  from  the  Five  Nations;  and,  war 
having  been  declared  between  France  and  England,  he  col- 
lected a  body  of  French  and  Indians,  and  despatched  them 
in  the  depth  of  winter  against  New  York.  This  party 
having  wandered  for  twenty-two  days  through  deserts,  ren- 
dered trackless  by  the  snow,  approached  the  village  of  Sche- 
nectady  in  so  exhausted  a  state,  that  they  had  determined  to 
surrender  themselves  as  prisoners  of  war.  But  arriving  at  a 
late  hour  on  a  stormy  night,  and  finding,  by  means  of  their 
spies,  that  the  inhabitants  were  asleep,  without  a  guard,  they 
suddenly  resolved  to  refuse  the  mercy  which  they  had  been 
just  on  the  point  of  imploring,  and  dividing  themselves  into 
several  parties,  they  set  fire  to  the  village  in  various  places, 
and  attacked  the  inhabitants  as  they  fled  from  the  flames. 
Men,  women,  and  children,  shared  the  same  fate.  Sixty 
persons  were  massacred,  and  twenty-seven  carried  into  cap- 
tivity. Of  the  fugitives  who  escaped,  half  clad,  and  made 


How  were  they  disposed  of  ? 
What  was  done  by  the  convention  ? 
By  Leisler  ? 
By  his  opponents  ? 


Wha*  new  misfortune  befell  the  co- 
lony ? 
Relate  the  circumstances  of  the  burn- 


11 


ing  of  Schenectady 


122 


FALL    OF    LEISLER. 


their  way  through  a  storm  of  snow  to  Albany,  twenty-five 
lost  their  limbs  by  the  intensity  of  the  frost.  The  French, 
having  destroyed  the  village,  retired,  laden  with  plunder. 

This  atrocious  proceeding  roused  the  indignation  of  all  the 
colonies.  Extensive  preparations  were  immediately  com- 
menced, in  New  York  and  New  England,  for  a  general  in- 
vasion of  Canada.  An  expedition  against  Quebec,  under  Sir 
William  Phipps,  sailed  from  Boston ;  and  the  united  forces  of 
Connecticut  and  New  York,  under  the  command  of  General 
Winthrop  were  to  march  against  Montreal.  But  Leisler's 
son-in-law,  Milbourne,  who  acted  as  commissary-general, 
having  failed  to  furnish  supplies,  and  the  Indians  not  bringing 
the  requisite  number  of  canoes,  for  crossing  the  rivers  and 
lakes,  the  general  was  obliged  to  order  a  retreat.  The  expe- 
dition against  Quebec  was  equally  unsuccessful. 

Leisler,  transported  with  rage  when  he  was  informed  of  the 
retreat,  caused  Winthrop  to  be  arrested,  but  was  instantly 
compelled,  by  the  indignation  of  all  parties,  to  release  him. 
This  man  was  intoxicated  with  his  elevation,  and  began  to 
betray  his  utter  incapacity  for  the  supreme  controul  of  a 
colony.  The  government  of  Connecticut,  incensed  at  the 
affront  to  one  of  their  ablest  officers,  warned  him  that  his 
state  needed  prudence ;  and  that  be  had  urgent  occasion  for 
friends. 

King  William  received  the  messenger,  who  had  been  sent 
to  him  by  Leisler,  very  graciously,  and  admitted  him  to  the 
honour  of  kissing  his  hand,  as  a  testimony  of  his  approbation 
of  the  proceedings  at  New  York.  But  Nicholson,  arriving 
in  England,  found  means  to  prejudice  the  royal  mind  against 
the  insurgents  both  of  Boston  and  New  York.  The  king 
returned  thanks  to  the  people  of  New  York,  for  their  fidelity; 
but,  without  recognising  the  governor  of  their  choice,  he 
committed  the  administration  of  the  province  to  Colonel 
Slough ter,  in  1689,  who  did  not  arrive  in  the  province,  how- 
ever, till  1691. 

The  new  governor,  on  his  arrival,  summoned  Leisler  to 
deliver  up  the  fort.  Unwilling  to  relinquish  the  power  which 
he  had  so  long  held,  he  replied  that  he  would  not  give  it  up, 
but  to  an  order  under  the  king's  own  hand.  Finding,  how- 
ever, that  parties  were  strong  against  him,  he  abandoned  his 
desperate  design  of  defending  the  fort ;  and,  on  surrendering 


How  did  the  colonists  prepare  to  re- 
venge this  massacre  ? 
How  was  the  design  frustrated  ? 
What  was  doi.e  by  Leisler  ? 


By  the  government  of  Connecticut  ? 
By  King  William  ? 
Whom  did  he  appoint  to  be  governo) 
of  New  York  ? 


EXECUTION    OF    LEISLER. 


123 


It,  he  was  instantly  denounced  as  a  rebel,  and  cast  into  prison, 
with  Milbourne,  and  others  of  his  adherents,  on  a  charge  of 
high  treason. 

Sloughter  then  called  an  assembly  who  voted  an  address, 
censuring  the  conduct  of  Leisler,  and  passed  an  act  annulling 
the  regulations  which  had  been  in  force  during  his  adminis- 
tration. They  also  passed  a  law  declaring  the  assembling  of 
a  representative  body  to  be  an  inherent  right  of  the  people, 
and  that  all  the  other  liberties  of  Englishmen  belonged  of 
right  to  the  colonists.  This  act  was  afterwards  annulled  by 
King  William. 

Leisler  and  Milbourne  were  now  brought  to  trial;  and, 
after  vainly  pleading  their  loyalty  and  public  services,  were 
convicted  of  treason,  and  sentenced  to  death.  The  governor 
still  hesitated  to  destroy  the  two  persons,  who,  of  all  the  in- 
habitants, had  been  the  first  to  declare  themselves  in  favour 
of  his  sovereign.  Their  enemies  resorted  to  a  most  unjusti- 
fiable stratagem.  They  prepared  a  sumptuous  feast,  to  which 
Colonel  Sloughter  was  in  ited  ;  and  when  his  reason  was 
drowned  in  wine,  the  eni  -eaties  of  the  company  prevailed 
with  him  to  sign  the  deal  -warrant ;  and,  before  he  recovered 
from  his  intoxication,  the  prisoners  were  executed. 

The  best  act  of  Sloughter's  administration  was  the  execu- 
cution  of  a  new  treaty,  offensive  and  defensive,  with  the  Five 
Nations.  On  his  retui  i  from  the  conference  with  their  de- 
puties he  suddenly  die  J.  He  was  a  man  of  profligate  cha 
racter,  and  mean  abilities. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1691,  Major  Schuyler,  who  had 
acquired,  by  his  courage  and  courtesy,  an  extraordinary  de- 
gree of  influence  over  the  Indians  of  the  Five  Nations,  un- 
dertook an  expedition  against  Montreal,  at  the  head  of  a  con- 
siderable body  of  colonial  and  Indian  forces.  Though  the 
invaders  were  compelled  to  retreat,  the  French  suffered  heavy 
losses,  in  several  encounters,  and  the  spirit  and  animosity  of 
the  Five  Nations  was  excited  to  such  a  pitch  that  when  their 
allies  retired,  they  continued  to  wage  incessant  and  harassing 
hostilities  with  the  French  through  the  whole  winter.  Count 
Frontignac  succeeded  in  capturing  two  of  their  warriors,  of 
the  Mohawk  nation,  whom  he  condemned  to  die  by  torture. 


Give  an  account  of  the  fall  of  Leis- 
ler. 

What  was  done  by  the  assembly  ? 

Helate  the  circumstances  of  the  death 
of  Leisler  and  Milbourne. 

What  was  Sloughter's  character  ? 


What  was  the  best  act  of  Sloughter'c 

administration  ? 
What  ended  it  ? 
What  was  his  character  ? 
What  was  done  in  1691  .' 
What  was  done  by  Frontignac  ? 


124 


HEROISM    OF    A    MOHAWK. 


One  of  them  despatched  himself,  with  a  knife,  which  some 
Frenchman  threw  into  the  prison ;  but  the  other,  disdaining 
such  pusillanimity,  walked  boldly  to  the  stake,  singing,  in  his 
death  chaunt,  that  he  was  a  Mohawk  warrior,  and  that  all  the 
power  of  man  could  not  extort  an  indecent  expression  of 
suffering  from  his  lips  ;  and  that  it  was  ample  consolation  to 
him  to  reflect  that  he  had  made  many  a  Frenchman  suffer  the 
same  pangs  that  he  must  now  himself  undergo.  When  at- 
tached to  the  stake  he  looked  round  on  his  executioners,  their 
instruments  of  torture,  and  the  assembled  multitude  of  spec- 
tators, with  the  composure  of  heroic  fortitude,  and  after  en- 
during for  some  hours,  a  series  of  barbarities  too  atrocious  to 
be  recited,  his  sufferings  were  terminated  by  the  intercession 
of  a  French  lady,  who  prevailed  with  the  governor  to  order 
that  mortal  blow  to  which  human  cruelty  has  given  the  name 
of  coup  de  grace,  or  stroke  of  favour. 

Colonel  Fletcher  was  the  next  governor  of  New  York.  He 
arrived  in  1692.  He  was  an  able  soldier,  but  avaricious  and 
passionate.  The  king,  who  had  refused  to  grant  a  charter  to 
New  York,  was  anxious  to  encroach  on  the  privileges  of  Con- 
necticut, by  placing  the  militia  of  that  colony  under  the  con- 
troul  of  Fletcher.  To  effect  this  object,  Fletcher  sent  a  com- 
mission to  Governor  Trent,  of  Connecticut,  who  was  already 
commander  of  the  colonial  force  by  virtue  of  his  office.  The 
acceptance  of  a  commission,  from  the  governor  of  New  York, 
would  have  made  him  subject  to  his  orders.  It  was  of  course 
refused.  Incensed  at  such  contumacy,  Fletcher  proceeded, 
with  his  usual  impetuosity,  to  Hartford,  and  commanded  the 
assembly  of  the  colony,  who  were  then  in  session,  to  place 
their  militia  under  his  orders,  as  they  would  answer  it  to  the 
king.  He  even  threatened  to  issue  a  proclamation  calling  on 
all  who  were  for  the  king  to  join  him,  and  denouncing  all 
others  as  traitors.  Finding  his  menaces  disregarded,  he  pre- 
sented himself  with  one  of  his  council,  Colonel  Bayard,  to 
the  militia,  at  their  parade,  and  commanded  Bayard  to  read 
his  commission  from  the  king  aloud.  But  Captain  Wads 
worth,  a  tried  patriot,  stepped  forward,  and  commanded  the 
drums  to  beat,  so  that  the  reade.r  could  not  be  heard.  When 
Fletcher  attempted  to  interpose,  Wads  worth  supported  his 
orders  with  such  determination,  that  his  antagonist  was  com- 
pelled to  give  up  the  point,  and  make  a  hasty  retreat  to  his 


(live  an  account  of  the  death  of  the 

Mohawk  warrior. 
Who  was  the  next  governor  of  New 

York? 


What  was  his  character  ? 
Give  an  account  of  his  adventure 
Connecticut. 


FLETCHER    AND    WADSWORTH.  125 


Affair  of  Fletcher  and  Wadaworth. 

own  jurisdiction.  The  king  ordered  the  matter  to  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  attorney  and  solicitor  general  of  England,  who 
decided  in  favour  of  Connecticut. 

It  was  fortunate  for  New  York  that  Fletcher  made  use  of 
the  prudent  counsels  of  Colonel  Schuyler,  in  his  intercourse 
with  the  Indians.  His  promptitude,  skill,  and  intelligence, 
were  of  essential  service,  in  preserving  the  attachment  of  the 
Five  Nations,  during  an  expedition  against  the  French,  iu 
which  they  were  assisted  by  the  New  York  militia,  in  1693. 

Fletcher  laboured  hard  with  the  assembly  to  render  Epis- 
copacy the  established  religion  of  the  colony.  The  Dutch, 
and  other  Presbyterians,  naturally  opposed  him  in  this  design. 
He  at  length  succeeded  in  carrying  a  bill  through  the  assembly 
of  representatives,  for  settling  ministers  in  the  several  parishes. 
But  when  the  council  added  the  clause,  which  gave  the  people 
the  privilege  of  electing  their  own  ministers,  and  a  proviso, 
that  the  governor  should  exercise  the  episcopal  power  of  ap- 
proving and  collating  the  incumbents,  this  amendment  was 
directly  negatived  by  the  assembly.  The  governor,  exas- 
perated at  their  obstinacy,  called  the  house  before  him,  and 
prorogued  their  sitting  with  a  passionate  harangue.  '  You 
take  upon  you,'  said  he,  '  as  if  you  were  dictators.  I  sent 
down  to  you  an  amendment  of  but  three  or  four  words  in 
that  bill,  which,  though  very  immaterial,  yet  was  positively 
denied.  I  must  tell  you,  it  seems  very  unmannerly.  It  is 
the  sign  of  a  stubborn,  ill  temper.  You  ought  to  consider 
that  you  have  but  a  third  share  in  the  legislative  power  of  the 
government ;  and  ought  not  to  take  all  upon  you,  nor  be  so 
peremptory.  You  ought  to  let  the  council  have  a  share 


Who  was  Fletcher's  advisei  ?  I  What  was  done  in  relation  to  eccle- 

How  was  he  serviceable  .'  siastical  affairs  ? 

11* 


126  CAPTAIN    KIDD. 

They  are  in  the  nature  of  the  house  of  lords,  or  upper  house 
but  you  seem  to  take  the  whole  power  in  your  hands,  and 
set  up  for  every  thing.  You  have  sat  a  long  time  to  little 
purpose,  and  have  been  a  great  charge  to  the  country.  Ten 
shillings  a  day  is  a  large  allowance,  and  you  punctually  exact 
it.  You  have  been  always  forward  enough  to  pull  down  the 
fees  of  other  ministers  in  the  government.  Why  did  not  you 
think  it  expedient  to  correct  your  own  to  a  more  moderate 
allowance  ?'  The  members  of  assembly  endured  his  rude- 
ness with  invincible  patience ;  but  they  also  obstructed  his 
pretensions  with  immovable  resolution. 

Having  no  better  success  in  his  subsequent  attempts  to 
overawe  the  assembly,  he  at  length  gave  up  the  point,  and 
maintained  a  good  correspondence  with  that  body,  during  the 
remainder  of  his  administration. 

The  peace  of  Ryswick,  which  took  place  in  1697,  gave 
repose  to  the  colonies,  but  left  the  Five  Nations  exposed  to 
the  hostilities  of  the  French.  Count  Frontignac  prepared  to 
direct  his  whole  force  against  them  ;  and  was  only  prevented 
from  executing  his  purpose  by  the  energy  and  decision  of  the 
Earl  of  Bellamont,  who  had  now  succeeded  Fletcher  in  the 
government  of  the  colony.  He  not  only  supplied  the  Five 
Nations  with  ammunition  and  military  stores,  but  notified 
Count  Frontignac,  that,  if  the  French  should  presume  to 
attack  them,  he  would  march  the  whole  disposable  force  of 
the  province  to  their  aid.  This  threat  was  effectual,  and  a 
peace  between  the  French  and  the  Five  Nations  was  soon 
afterwards  concluded. 

Piracy  had  increased  to  an  alarming  extent  on  the  Ameri- 
can shores,  during  the  administration  of  Fletcher ;  and  he 
was  even  suspected  of  having  encouraged  it.  Lord  Bella- 
mont was  instructed  to  put  an  end  to  this  evil ;  and,  consult- 
ing with  his  friends  on  the  best  means  of  accomplishing  this 
desirable  end,  he  was  advised  to  employ  one  Kidd,  who  was 
represented  to  him  as  a  man  of  honour  and  integrity,  and 
well  acquainted  with  the  persons  and  haunts  of  the  pirates. 
Kidd  was  accordingly  engaged  to  undertake  the  office,  as  the 
agent  of  a  company,  of  which  the  king,  the  lord  chancellor, 
and  some  other  noblemen,  were  members.  He  received  an 
ordinary  commission,  as  a  privateer,  with  directions  to  pro- 
ceed against  the  pirates,  and  hold  himself  responsible  to  Lord 


What  was  the  effect  of  the  peace  of 
Ryswick  ? 

What  was  done  by  the  Earl  of  Bella- 
mont ? 


What  is  said  of  piracy  ? 

Who  was  employed  to  suppress  it  ? 

In  what  capacity  ? 


LORD    CORNBURY.  127 

Bellamont.  But  instead  of  attacking  the  pirates,  he  turned 
pirate  himself,  and  became  the  most  infamous  and  formidable 
of  them  all.  After  continuing  his  depredations  for  three 
years,  he  had  the  audacity  to  appear  publicly  in  Boston.  He 
was  seized,  and  sent  to  England,  where  he  was  tried  and 
executed.  The  noblemen  who  had  procured  his  commission, 
were  charged  with  participating  in  his  crimes  and  profits ; 
but  no  exertions  of  their  enemies  could  fix  the  imputation 
upon  them,  so  as  to  gain  credit  with  the  public  at  large. 

The  death  of  Leisler  had  not  entirely  extinguished  the  civil 
feuds  to  which  his  elevation  gave  rise.  They  had  continued 
through  the  administration  of  Fletcher,  and  now  broke  forth 
with  fresh  violence,  upon  occasion  of  young  Leisler's  applica- 
tion for  indemnification  for  the  losses  sustained  by  the  family. 
Lord  Bellamont  favoured  his  claims,  and  was  instrumental  in 
procuring  a  grant  of  £1000  for  his  benefit.  The  faction,  how- 
ever, was  not  quieted  by  this  measure. 

Lord  Bellamont's  administration  was  terminated  by  his 
death,  in  1701  ;  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Lord  Cornbury, 
grandson  of  the  great  chancellor,  Lord  Clarendon ;  but  a 
most  degenerate  and  unworthy  descendant  of  that  illustrious 
man.  Parties  ran  high  under  his  administration,  and  he  was 
a  violent  supporter  of  the  anti-Leislerian  faction.  He  was 
also  an  over-strenuous  supporter  of  the  Church  of  England  ; 
and  did  not  scruple  to  persecute,  with  unrelenting  hate,  the 
members  of  all  other  denominations.  He  embezzled  the 
public  money,  ran  in  debt  on  his  own  private  account,  and 
evaded  payment  by  the  privileges  of  his  office.  All  parties 
became  disgusted  with  his  unprincipled  conduct;  and,  for- 
getting their  former  animosities  against  each  other,  united  in 
earnestly  petitioning  for  his  recall.  In  1709,  Queen  Anne, 
the  new  sovereign  of  England,  was  induced  to  supersede  his 
commission,  and  appoint  Lord  Lovelace  to  succeed  him. 
Deprived  of  his  office,  he  was  instantly  arrested,  and  thrown 
into  prison,  by  his  enraged  creditors,  and  remained  there 
until  the  death  of  his  father,  by  elevating  him  to  the  peerage, 
entitled  him  to  his  liberation.  He  then  returned  to  England, 
and  died  in  the  year  1723.  The  brief  administration  of 


How  did  he  behave  ? 

What  was  his  fate  ? 

What  is  said  of  his  employers  ? 

What  was  done  by  Leisler's  son  ? 

How  did  he  succeed"  ? 

Who  succeeded  Lord  Bellamont  ? 


What  was  Lord  Cornbury 's  character  J 
What  were  his  acts  ? 
What  occasioned  his  removal  ? 
Who  succeeded  him  ? 
What  is  said  of  Cornbury's  subse- 
ruent  career  ? 


128 


ADMINISTRATIONS    OF    HUNTER   AND    BURNET. 


Lord  Lovelace,  distinguished  by  no  remarkable  occurrence, 
was  terminated  by  his  sudden  decease. 

General  Hunter,  who  was  appointed  to  succeed  Lord  Love- 
lace, arrived  in  1610,  and  brought  with  him  three  thousand 
Germans,  a  part  of  whom  settled  in  New  York,  and  the  re- 
mainder in  Pennsylvania.  His  administration  is  remarkable 
only  for  his  frequent  and  unsatisfactory  disputes  with  the 
assembly,  concerning  the  custody  and  disbursement  of  the 
public  money.  An  unsuccessful  invasion  of  Canada,  by  the 
united  forces  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Connecticut, 
took  place  in  1711. 

William  Burnet,  son  of  the  celebrated  Bishop  Burnet,  suc- 
ceeded to  Hunter.  He  was  well  apprised  of  the  danger  to  be 
apprehended  from  the  French  upon  the  north-western  frontier, 
and  soon  penetrated  their  design  of  forming  a  line  of  forts 
'Vom  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Mississippi.  He  erected  a  fort 
at  Oswego,  on  Lake  Ontario,  in  hopes  of  defeating  their 
design.  But  the  French  were  not  thus  to  be  foiled.  They 
erected  Fort  Frontignac,  at  the  outlet  of  Lake  Ontario,  and 
another  at  Niagara,  at  the  entrance  of  the  Niagara  river  into 
the  lake.  The  remainder  of  his  administration  appears  to 
have  chiefly  been  occupied  by  contentions  with  the  assembly 
concerning  the  court  of  chancery,  which  had  become  so 
odious  that  an  act  of  the  legislature  was  passed,  declaring  its 
proceedings  void. 

Burnet,  being  appointed  governor  of  Massachusetts,  was 
succeeded  by  Colonel  Montgomery.  His  short  administration 
was  not  distinguished  by  any  remarkable  event.  He  died  in 
1731,  and  Rip  Van  Dam,  the  senior  member  of  the  council, 
became  acting  governor.  He  was  superseded,  in  1732,  by 
William  Cosby,  having,  in  the  mean  time,  permitted  the 
French  to  erect  a  fortification  at  Crown  Point,  within  the 
boundaries  of  the  colonies,  which  served  as  a  rallying  point 
for  hostile  Indians  - 

Cosby  was  at  first  a  popular  governor,  but  having  impru- 
dently attacked  the  liberty  of  the  press,  he  lost  favour  with 
the  people.  His  successor,  Clark,  was  not  more  fortunate,  as 
he  excited  the  hostility  of  the  assembly  by  his  arbitrary  at- 
tempts to  controul  the  public  treasure.  He  carried  matters  so 


Who  succeeded  Lord  Lovelace  ? 

What  events  transpired  during  Hunt- 
er's administration  ? 

Who  succeeded  Hunter  ? 

What  wa*  done  during  Burnet's  ad- 
ministration ! 


Who  was  his  successor  ? 

What  is  said  of  his  administration  ? 

Of  Rip  Van  Dam  ? 

Of  Cosby? 

Of  Clark  ? 


ADMINISTRATION   OF    CLINTON. 


129 


far,  as  to  charge  the  colonies  with  a  design  to  throw  off  their 
dependence  on  the  crown. 

George  Clinton  succeeded  Clark,  in  1743.  He  seems  to 
have  retained  the  popularity  with  which  most  of  the  governors 
commenced  their  administrations,  by  timely  concessions  to 
the  people.  He  gave  his  assent  to  a  law  which  limited  the 
duration  of  the  assemblies  ;  and  succeeded  in  raising  recruits 
and  subsidies  for  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war  which  had 
commenced  with  France.  Before  his  preparations  were  com- 
pleted, however,  a  treaty  was  concluded. 

In  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century  the  population  of 
the  whole  colony  of  New  York  was  scarcely  100,000  inhabi- 
tants— less  than  one-half  the  number  now  contained  in  the 
metropolis  of  that  state.  The  Indian  wars,  which  were  al- 
most constantly  raging  on  the  frontier,  were  an  effectual  check 
to  the  extended  settlement  of  the  interior. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

COLONISATION   OF    NEW  JERSEY. 

WE  have  already  referred  to  the  early  settlements  of  the 
Swedes  and  Dutch,  on  the  Delaware  river.  It  was  not  until 
1640  that  any  attempt  was  made,  by  the  English,  to  colonise 
this  region  ;  and  then  it  was  successfully  resisted.  Their  set- 
tlement at  Elsingburgh  was  broken  up  by  the  united  efforts 
of  the  Swedes  and  Dutch.  The  Swedes  took  possession  of 
the  place,  built  a  fort,  commanded  the  navigation  of  the  river, 
and  exacted  duties  from  the  ships  of  other  nations  passing  on 
its  waters.  This  lasted  till  their  subjugation  by  the  Dutch, 
under  Peter  Stuyvesant,  which  has  already  been  related. 

When  New  York  was  given  to  the  Duke  of  York,  by 
Charles  II,  the  country  between  the  Delaware  and  Hudson 
was  included  in  the  grant.  It  was  immediately  afterwards 
conveyed,  by  the  duke,  to  Lord  Berkeley  and  Sir  George 
Carteret.  In  compliment  to  Carteret,  who  had  defended  the 


Of  Clinton  ? 

Of  New  York  in  the  middle  of  the 

eighteenth  century  ? 
Who  first  settled  in  New  Jersey,  on 

the  Delaware  ? 


-When  did  the  English  first  attempt 

to  settle  there  ? 
What  was  the  result .' 
Who  dispossessed  the  Swedes  ? 
Who  granted  New  Jersey  to  Berkeley 
and  Carteret  ? 


130  FAVOURABLE    CONDITIONS   OF    SETTLEMENT. 

island  of  Jersey  against  the  Long  Parliament  in  the  civil  war, 
it  was  called  Nova-Cesaria,  or  New  Jersey.  To  invite  set- 
tlers to  the  country,  the  proprietaries  gave  assurance  that  the 
province  should  enjoy  a  representative  government ;  freedom 
from  all  taxes,  except  such  as  were  imposed  by  the  general 
assembly  ;  and  the  undisturbed  enjoyment  of  liberty  of  con- 
science. This  last  provision  was  undoubtedly  intended  for 
the  benefit  of  the  society  of  Friends,  who  had  been  much 
molested  by  the  Dutch  in  the  neighbouring  colony ;  and  many 
of  whom  were  already  settled  in  New  Jersey.  Lands  were 
also  offered,  at  a  quit  rent  of  a  half-penny  an  acre,  after  the 
year  1670,  with  the  further  condition,  that  one  able-bodied 
male  servant  should  be  maintained  for  every  100  acres  of  land, 
thus  affording  a  guarantee  for  the  actual  cultivation  of  the  land. 
This  condition  was  probably  intended  to  prevent  the  appro- 
priation of  large  tracts  by  speculators.  New  provisions  were 
added  to  this  constitution,  by  subsequent  proclamations  of  the 
proprietors,  and  the  whole  code  was  denominated,  by  the 
people,  the  Laws  of  the  Concessions,  and  regarded  by  them 
as  the  great  charter  of  their  liberties. 

Philip  Carteret,  the  first  governor  of  New  Jersey,  purchased 
from  the  Indians  their  titles  to  all  the  lands  which  were  occu- 
pied. This  proceeding  was  afterwards  approved  by  the 
proprietaries,  who  then  established  the  rule,  that  all  lands 
should  be  purchased  from  the  Indians  by  the  governor  and 
council,  who  were  to  be  reimbursed  by  the  settlers,  in  pro- 
portion to  their  respective  possessions. 

Colonel  Nichols,  the  first  English  governor  of  New  York, 
while  yet  unacquainted  with  the  duke's  grant  to  Berkeley  and 
Carteret,  had  granted  licenses  to  persons  to  purchase  lands  of 
the  Indians,  and  make  settlements  in  New  Jersey ;  and  the 
towns  of  Elizabethtown,  Woodbridge,  and  Piscataway  were 
accordingly  settled.  But  the  hopes  which  he  had  entertained 
of  increasing  the  value  of  the  duke's  territories  by  this  mea- 
sure, were  soon  dissipated  by  intelligence  of  his  having  parted 
with  his  claim  to  all  the  lands  south-west  of  the  Hudson. 
The  measures  which  Nichols  had  already  taken,  gave  rise  to 
disputes  between  his  settlers  and  the  proprietaries,  which 
disturbed  the  colony  for  more  than  half  a  century. 

Nichols  endeavoured  to  prevail  on  the  duke  to  revoke  the 
grant;  but  this  was  not  done,  and  the  government  was  surren 
dered  to  Philip  Carteret,  who  arrived  in  1665,  with  thirtv 


What  privileges  did  they  offer  to  set- 
tlers ? 
What  was  done  by  Philip  Carteret  ? 


By  Colonel  Nichols  ? 
By  the  Duke  of  York  ? 


ANDROS.  131 

settlers,  and  fixed  his  residence  at  Elizabethtown,  the  first 
capital  of  the  colony.  Here  he  remained  for  several  years, 
while  the  little  state  grew  and  flourished  under  his  prudent 
administration.  Its  free  institutions,  fertile  soil,  and  fortunate 
situation  for  commerce,  all  contributed  to  invite  settlers,  and 
advance  its  prosperity. 

In  1670,  the  earliest  quit-rents  fell  due.  The  first  demand 
of  this  tribute  excited  general  disgust.  A  numerous  party,  in- 
cluding those  who  had  settled  under  Nichols,  refused  to  ac- 
knowledge the  title  of  the  proprietors,  and  in  opposition  to  it 
set  up  titles  which  they  had  obtained  from  the  Indians.  The 
governor  struggled  hard  to  maintain  the  rights  of  the  pro- 
prietaries for  two  years,  till  at  length  an  insurrection  broke 
forth,  and  he  was  compelled  to  return  to  England,  abandbning 
the  government ;  which  was  immediately  conferred  on  a  son 
of  Sir  George  Carteret,  who  had  favoured  the  popular  party. 

In  1673,  the  Dutch  recovered  New  Jersey,  together  with 
New  York,  but  soon  afterwards  it  was  restored  to  the  English 
by  the  treaty  of  London.  After  this  event  the  Duke  of  York 
obtained  a  new  charter  for  New  York  and  New  Jersey  ;  ap- 
pointed Andros  governor  over  the  whole  reunited  province, 
and  investing  all  the  legislative  power  in  the  governor  and 
council,  established  the  same  arbitrary  government  in  New 
Jersey  which  he  had  all  along  maintained  in  New  York.  He 
promised  Sir  George  Carteret,  however,  to  renew  his  grant 
of  New  Jersey.  But  when  he  finally  performed  his  promise, 
he  still  ordered  Andros  to  maintain  his  prerogative  over  the 
whole  territory. 

In  1675,  Philip  Carteret  retmrned  to  New  Jersey,  and  was 
willingly  received  by  the  inhabitants,  who  had  become  hearti- 
ly weary  of  the  tyranny  of  Andros.  As  he  postponed  the 
payment  of  quit-rents  to  a  future  day,  and  published  a  new 
set  of  concessions  from  Sir  George  Carteret,  peace  and  order 
were  once  more  restored  to  the  colony.  The  only  subject  of 
uneasiness  arose  from  the  arbitrary  proceedings  of  Andros, 
who  interdicted  and  finally  destroyed  their  commerce,  exacted 
trioute,  and  even  arrested  governor  Carteret,  and  conveyed 
him  a  prisoner  to  New  York.  He  was  only  released  by  the 
interposition  of  the  Duke  of  York. 


What  was  the  first  capital  of  New 
Jersey  ? 

What  is  said  of  Carteret 's  administra- 
tion f 

What  is  said  of  the  quit-rents  ? 


Of  the  Dutch  ? 
Of  the  Duke  of  York  ? 
Of  Philip  Carteret  ? 
How  was  he  insulted  ? 
How  released  ? 


132 


BURLINGTON    SETTLED. 


In  1674,  Lord  Berkeley,  one  of  those  who  had  received  the 
grant  from  the  Duke  of  York,  sold  his  share  of  New  Jersey 
to  two  English  Quakers,  named  Fenwicke  and  Byllinge,  con- 
veying it  to  the  first  of  them  in  trust  for  the  other.  A  dispute 
arising  between  them,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  cele- 
brated William  Penn,  who  decided  in  favour  of  Byllinge. 
Fenwicke  came  over  with  his  family  in  1675,  and  settled  in 
the  western  part  of  New  Jersey. 

Byllinge  subsequently  became  embarrassed  in  his  pecuni- 
ary affairs,  and  made  an  assignment  of  his  claims  on  New 
Jersey  to  William  Penn,  Gawen  Lawrie,  and  Nicholas 
Lewis,  who  assumed  the  direction  of  the  territory  thus  con- 
veyed. Their  first  care  was  to  effect  a  division  of  the  pro- 
vince between  themselves  and  Sir  George  Carteret;  and, 
accordingly,  the  eastern  part  of  the  province  was  assigned  to 
Carteret,  under  the  name  of  East  New  Jersey ;  the  western 
part  to  Byllinge's  assigns,  who  named  their  portion  West 
New  Jersey.  The  western  proprietors  then  divided  their 
territory  into  one  hundred  lots,  ten  of  which  they  assigned 
to  Fenwicke,  and  the  remaining  ninety  they  reserved  to  be 
sold  for  the  benefit  of  Byllinge's  creditors.  They  then  gave 
the  settlers  a  free  constitution,  under  the  title  of  Concessions, 
granting  all  the  important  privileges  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty. 

In  1677,  upwards  of  four  hundred  Quakers,  many  of  them 
possessed  of  considerable  property,  arrived  from  England, 
and  settled  in  West  New  Jersey,  giving  their  first  settlement 
the  name  of  Burlington. 

The  claims  of  the  Duke  ot»York  to  jurisdiction  over  New 
Jersey  continued  to  be  urged,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  the 
inhabitants,  until  1680,  when,  after  repeated  remonstrances 
to  the  English  government,  and  a  legal  decision  in  their 
favour,  the  people  finally  succeeded  in  procuring  a  formal 
recognition  of  their  independence. 

West  Jersey  now  rapidly  filled  with  inhabitants,  most  of 
them  being  of  the  Quaker  persuasion.  Their  first  represent- 
ative assembly  met  in  1681.  It  was  convoked  by  Samuel 
Jennings,  the  deputy  of  Edward  Byllinge,  their  first  governor. 


'l ..  whom  did  Lord  Berkeley  sell  his 

pai .  of  New  Jersey  ? 
What  events  followed  ? 
To  whom  did  Byllinge  assign  his 

part  ? 

FJow  was  the  province  divided  ? 
How  were  the  parts  named  ? 


How  was  the  western  part  divided  ? 

What  was  granted  to  the  settlers  ? 

When  and  by  whom  was  Burlington 
settled  ? 

What  took  place  in  1680  ? 

When  was  the  first  assembly  con- 
voked ? 


ANARCHY    WITHOUT   OISORDEft* 


133 


In  this  assembly  was  enacted  a  body  of  Fundamental  Con- 
stitutions, which  formed  the  future  basis  of  their  govern- 
ment. 

In  1682,  William  Penn,  and  eleven  other  persons  of  the 
society  of  Friends,  purchased  from  Sir  George  Carteret  the 
whole  province  of  East  New  Jersey.  Twelve  other  per- 
sons, of  a  different  religious  persuasion  from  their  own,  were 
then  united  with  the  purchasers,  and  to  these  twenty-four 
proprietaries  the  Duke  of  York  executed  his  third  and  last 
grant  of  East  New  Jersey ;  on  receiving  which,  they  pro- 
ceeded to  organise  a  proprietary  government.  The  first  go- 
vernor was  the  celebrated  Robert  Barclay,  author  of  the 
« Apology  for  the  Quakers ;'  who  was  appointed  for  life. 
Under  his  brief  administration  a  large  number  of  emigrants 
arrived  from  Scotland.  Barclay  died  in  1690. 

On  his  accession  to  the  throne,  James  II,  utterly  disregard- 
ing ihe  engagements  he  had  entered  into  as  Duke  of  York, 
attempted  to  deprive  New  Jersey  of  its  chartered  privileges, 
and  was  only  prevented  from  the  execution  of  his  purpose  by 
the  revolution,  which  deprived  him  of  the  throne  in  1688. 

From  that  period  till  1692,  Chalmers  asserts,  that  no  go- 
vernment whatever  existed  in  New  Jersey  ;  and  it  is  highly 
creditable  to  the  society  of  Friends,  whose  members  com- 
posed the  main  part  of  the  population,  that  the  peace  of  the 
country  and  the  prosperity  of  its  inhabitants  were  promoted 
during  this  interval  by  their  own  honesty,  sobriety,  and 
industry. 

The  pretensions  of  New  York  to  jurisdiction  over  New 
Jersey  were  revived  under  William  and  Mary,  which  cir- 
cumstance led  to  much  angry  discussion,  until,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne,  the  proprietaries, 
wearied  with  continual  embarrassments  and  disputes,  surren- 
dered their  powers  of  government  to  the  crown.  The  queen 
forthwith  united  East  and  West  New  Jersey  into  one  pro- 
vince, and  committed  the  government  of  it,  as  well  as  of 
New  York,  to  her  kinsman,  Lord  Cornbury.  His  adminis- 
tration here,  as  well  as  in  the  neighbouring  colony,  was  only 
distinguished  by  his  arrogant  attempts  to  overawe  and  dictate 
to  the  colonial  assemblies,  and  their  firm  and  resolute  resist 
ance  of  his  assumptions  of  arbitrary  power. 


What  was  done  by  it  ? 

Who  purchased  East  New  Jersey  in 

1682  ? 

Who  was  the  first  governor  ? 
What  was  attempted  by  James  II  ? 
How  was  his  design  frustrated  ? 


12 


What  is  said  by  Chalmers .' 

What  is  said  of  the  Friends  ? 

What  was  done  by  the  proprieta* 

ries  ? 

By  Queen  Anne  ? 
By  Lord  Cornbury  ? 


i34  NASSAU    HALL    FOUNDED. 

After  his  recall,  New  York  and  New  Jersey  continued  for 
many  years  to  be  ruled  by  the  same  governor,  each  choosing 
a  separate  assembly  ;  and  it  was  not  till  1738,  that  a  separate 
governor  for  New  Jersey  was  appointed  at  the  instance  of 
the  people.  Lewis  Morris  was  the  first  governor  under  this 
new  arrangement.  The  college  of  Nassau  Hall,  at  Prince- 
ton, was  founded  the  same  year. 

After  this  period,  no  remarkable  circumstance  transpired  in 
this  province,  until  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  the 
period  to  which  we  are  now  bringing  up  the  history  of  the 
several  colonies,  with  a  view  to  proceed  afterwards  with  an 
account  of  their  united  operations  in  the  French  war  of  1754. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


COLONISATION    OF    DELAWARE. 

DELAWARE  was  first  settled  in  1627.  William  Usselin,  an 
eminent  Swedish  merchant,  being  satisfied  of  the  advantages 
of  colonising  the  country  in  the  neighbourhood  of  New 
Netherlands,  gained  the  permission  of  Gustavus  Adolphus, 
King  of  Sweden,  to  form  a  company  for  the  purpose.  Large 
sums  of  money  were  accordingly  contributed,  and  a  colony 
of  Swedes  and  Finns  sent  out,  who  first  landed  at  Cape 
Henlopen,  the  delightful  appearance  of  which  induced  them 
to  give  it  the  name  of  Paradise  Point.  They,  soon  after, 
bought  of  the  natives  the  land  from  that  cape  to  the  falls  of 
the  Delaware ;  and  scattered  their  settlements  along  the 
shores  of  the  river. 

Their  first  settlement  was  near  Wilmington,  at  the  mouth 
of  Christina  creek,  and  they  afterwards  built  forts  at  Lewis- 
town  and  Tinicum  isle :  which  last  was  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment of  their  colony  of  New  Swedeland,  or  New  Sweden, 
as  they  were  pleased  to  call  it.  Here  John  Printz,  their 
governor,  built  himself  a  spacious  mansion,  which  he  called 
Printz  Hall ;  and  supported  the  dignity  of  a  colonial  viceroy. 

The  empire  was  destined,  however,  to  a  speedy  termina- 
tion. The  Dutchmen  of  New  Netherlands  could  not  bear 


How  were  affairs  managed  after  his 

recall  ? 

What  took  place  in  1738  ? 
When  was  Delaware  first  settled  ? 


Give  an  account  of  the  settlement. 
Where  did  the  Swedes  build  forts  ? 
What  is  said  of  Printz  ? 
Of  the  Dutch  ? 


THE    LOWER   COUNTIES    OF    THE    DELAWARE. 


135 


the  presence  of  so  formidable  a  rival.  They  built  a  fort  in 
1651  at  New  Castle,  in  the  very  centre,  as  it  were,  of  New 
Sweden,  and,  notwithstanding  the  protestations  of  Printz, 
held  it  till  the  accession  of  Risingh,  his  successor.  This 
governor  employed  a  most  unworthy  stratagem  for  displacing 
the  intruders.  Being  on  an  apparently  friendly  visit  to  the 
commander  of  the  fort,  and  observing  the  weakness  of  the 
garrison,  he  incontinently  took  possession  of  it,  disarmed  the 
soldiers,  and  made  them  swear  allegiance  to  his  sovereign. 
An  account  of  this  important  affair,  coloured  to  the  life,  may 
be  found  in  Knickerbocker's  celebrated  History  of  New 
York. 

Peter  Stuyvesant,  the  Dutch  governor  of  New  York,  in 
revenge  for  this  insult,  fitted  out  a  grand  armament,  invaded 
New  Sweden,  and  reduced  the  whole  colony  to  complete 
subjection  ;  sending  many  of  the  inhabitants  to  the  mother 
country,  while  the  remainder  quietly  mingled  with  the  con- 
querors, and  adopted  their  government,  laws,  and  manners. 

When  the  English  conquered  New  Netherlands,  after- 
wards called  New  York,  they  also  obtained  Delaware,  which 
was  considered  a  part  of  that  territory.  In  1682,  New  Cas- 
tle, and  the  country  for  a  compass  of  twelve  miles  round  it, 
were  purchased  of  the  Duke  of  York  by  William  Penn,  who 
afterwards  extended  his  purchase  to  Cape  Henlopen.  This 
country,  called  the  Lower  Counties  of  the  Delaware,  re- 
mained a  portion  of  William  Penn's  colony  of  Pennsylvania 
for  twenty  years  afterwards. 

In  1703,  the  Lower  Counties  were  separated  from  Penn- 
sylvania ;  and  have  since  retained  their  independence  of  any 
other  colony,  under  the  name  of  Delaware. 

The  limited  extent  of  its  territory  gives  this  state  rather  a 
diminutive  appearance  on  the  map;  but  its  soldiers  have  ever 
been  among  the  bravest  in  defence  of  our  liberties,  and  its 
statesmen  have  at  all  periods  exerted  a  commanding  influence 
in  the  councils  of  the  nation. 


Of  Risingh  ? 

Of  Stuyvesant  ? 

Of  the  inhabitants  of  New  Sweden  ? 

Of  the  English  ? 

I  )f  William  Penn  ? 


Of  the  Lower  Counties  on  the  Dela- 
ware ? 

Of  the  soldiers  and  statesmen  of  De- 
laware ? 


136 


WILLIAM    PENN. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


COLONISATION    OF    PENNSYLVANIA. 

THIS  colony  was  founded  by  the  celebrated  William  Peun 
in  1681.  He  was  the  son  of  Sir  William  Penn,  a  British 
admiral,  who,  under  the  protectorate  of  Cromwell,  effected 
the  conquest  of  Jamaica,  for  the  British  crown.  He  also 
performed  important  services  for  the  Stuart  family,  and,  after 
the  Restoration,  enjoyed  high  favour  at  the  court.  Young 
Penn  was  early  entered  as  a  commoner  at  Oxford  university, 
but  having  imbibed  a  strong  predilection  for  Quaker  senti- 
ments, he  espoused  the  cause  of  that  sect  with  so  much 
warmth  that  he,  with  several  others,  was  expelled  from  the 
university. 

His  father,  wishing  to  divert  his  mind  from  religious  sub- 
jects, sent  him  to  travel  in  France,  and  this  scheme  seems  to 
have  been  attended  with  partial  success  ;  but,  after  his  return, 
having  gone  to  Ireland,  to  inspect  an  estate  that  belonged  to 
his  father,  he  there  met  with  the  same  preacher  who  had  first 
attracted  his  attention  to  the  principles  of  Quakerism,  ten 
years  before,  and  the  consequence  was  a  new  and  determined 
adoption  of  his  former  belief.  His  father,  disappointed  in 
his  hopes  of  worldly  advancement  for  his  son,  abandoned  him 
to  his  own  course. 

He  then  commenced  preacher,  and  gained  many  proselytes. 
Though  often  imprisoned,  and  constantly  persecuted,  he  still 
persevered ;  and  such  was  his  sincerity,  zeal,  and  patience, 
that  his  father  finally  became  reconciled  to  him.  In  1670,  he 
was  tried  at  the  Old  Bailey,  for  preaching  in  the  street,  and 
pleaded  his  own  case  with  such  firmness  and  resolution,  that 
he  was  honourably  acquitted. 

On  the  death  of  his  father  he  became  heir  to  a  handsome 
estate,  but  he  continued  to  preach,  write,  and  suffer  persecu- 
tion as  before. 

The  attention  of  Penn  was  attracted  to  colonisation,  by  the 
interest  which  he  took  in  the  affairs  of  New  Jersey.  Learn- 
ing that  a  large  tract  of  land,  lying  between  the  possessions 


When  was  Pennsylvania  founded .' 
What  is  said  of  Admiral  Penn  ? 
Of  William  Penn  ? 
What  transpired  in  France  ? 
In  Ireland  ? 


What  is  said  of  his  father  ? 
Of  his  career  as  a  preacher  ? 
Of  his"  trial  ? 

HOWT'WM  Penn's  ? ttention  first  direct- 
ed to  colonisation  > 


CHARTER   OF    PENNSYLVANIA. 


137 


Penn  laying  out  the  plan  of  Philadelphia. 


of  the  Duke  of  York,  and  those  of  Lord  Baltimore,  was  stil) 
unoccupied,  he  formed  the  noble  design  of  founding  there  a 
new  state,  in  which  the  liberal  ideas  he  had  formed  of  civ'it 
and  religious  liberty  should  be  fully  realised.  He  accordingly 
presented  a  petition  to  Charles  II,  urging  his  claim  for  a  deb* 
incurred  by  the  crown  to  his  father,  and  soliciting  a  grant  of 
the  land  on  which  he  desired  to  settle.  A  charter  was  readily 
granted  by  the  king. 

This  charter  constituted  William  Penn  and  his  heirs  true 
and  absolute  proprietaries  of  the  province  of  Pennsylvania, 
saving  to  the  crown  their  allegiance,  and  the  sovereignty.  It 
gave  him  and  his  heirs,  and  their  deputies,  power  to  make 
laws,  with  the  advice  of  the  freemen,  and  to  erect  courts  of 
justice,  for  the  execution  of  those  laws,  provided  they  should 
not  be  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  England. 

Penn  now  invited  purchasers  ;  and  a  large  number,  chiefly 
of  his  own  persuasion,  prepared  to  emigrate.  Some  merchants 
forming  a  company,  purchased  20,000  acres  of  land  at  the  rate 
of  twenty  pounds  for  every  thousand  acres.  In  May,  1681 
he  despatched  Markham,  his  relative,  with  a  company  of  emi- 
grants, to  take  possession  of  the  territory.  He  at  the  same 
time  despatched  a  letter  to  the  Indians,  assuring  them  of  his 
just  and  friendly  intentions  with  respect  to  themselves. 

In  the  following  April,  Penn  published  '  the  frame  of  go- 
vernment for  Pennsylvania,'  and,  in  May,  a  body  of  law? 
which  had  been  agreed  upon  by  himself,  and  the  adventurers 
in  England,  which  was  intended  as  a  great  charter,  and  which 


How  did  he  obtain  his  charter  ? 
What  were  its  terms  ? 
Who  purchased  lands  ? 
Who  emigrated  ? 


When  ? 

To  whom  did  Penn  write  a  letter .' 
What  did  he  publish  in  April,  1681  f 
What  is  said  of  thess  laws  ? 


138 


PENN'S  TREATY  WITH  THE  INDIANS. 


says  Chalmers,  '  does  great  honour  to  their  wisdon*  as  states- 
men, to  their  morals  as  men,  to  their  spirit  as  colonists.' 

To  prevent  future  claims  to  the  province  by  the  Duke  pf 
York,  or  his  heirs,  Penn  obtained  from  him  his  deed  of  re- 
lease for  it ;  and,  as  an  additional  grant,  he  procured  from  him 
also,  his  right  and  interest  in  that  tract  of  land,  which  was  at 
first  called  the  '  Territories  of  Pennsylvania,'  and  afterwards, 
the  '  Three  Lower  Counties  on  Delaware.'  This  constitutes, 
as  we  have  already  remarked,  the  present  state  of  Delaware. 

Penn,  having  completed  these  arrangements,  embarked,  in 
August,  for  America,  accompanied  by  a  large  number  of  emi- 
grants, chiefly  of  his  own  religious  persuasion.  He  landed 
at  New  Castle,  on  the  24th  of  October.  The  next  day  the 
people  were  summoned  to  the  court  house ;  possession  of 
the  country  was  legally  given  to  the  proprietary ;  and  the 
people  were  acquainted  by  him  with  the  design  of  his  coming, 
and  the  nature  of  the  government  which  he  came  to  establish. 

He  then  proceeded  to  Upland,  now  called  Chester,  and  there 
called  an  assembly  on  the  4lh  of  December.  This  assembly 
passed  an  act  of  union,  annexing  the  Three  Lower  Counties 
to  the  province,  and  an  act  of  settlement  in  reference  to  the 
frame  of  government.  The  foreigners,  residing  in  the  pro- 
vince, were  naturalised,  and  the  laws,  agreed  on  in  England, 
were  passed  in  form.  Penn  then  selected  the  site  of  an  ex- 
tensive city,  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of  Philadelphia,  and 
laid  out  the  plan  on  which  it  should  be  built.  Before  the  end 
of  the  year  it  contained  eighty  dwellings. 

Penn's  next  step  was  to  enter  into  a  treaty  with  the  Indian 
tribes  in  his  neighbourhood.  Regarding  them  as  the  rightful 
possessors  of  the  soil,  he  fairly  purchased  from  them  their 
lands,  giving  in  exchange  valuable  European  goods  and  com- 
modities, such  as  were  useful  to  them.  This  treaty,  executed 
without  the  formality  of  an  oath,  was  inviolably  preserved  for 
a  period  of  seventy  years. 

Within  a  year,  between  twenty  and  thirty  vessels,  with 
passengers,  arrived  in  the  province.  The  banks  of  the  Dela- 
ware were  rapidly  settled,  from  the  falls  of  Trenton,  to  Ches- 
ter. The  emigrants  were  chiefly  Quakers  from  England, 
Wales,  and  Ireland.  A  party  from  Germany  settled  in  and 


What  did  Penn  obtain  from  the  Duke 

of  York  ? 

When  did  he  embark  for  America  ? 
Where  did  he  land  ? 
What  was  done  next  day  ? 
What  was  done  at  Chester  ? 


Of  what  city  did  he  then  lay  out  the 

plan  ? 

With  whom  did  he  make  a  treaty  ? 
What  is  said  of  it  ? 
What  settlers  arrived  ? 
Where  did  they  establish  themselves  ? 


PENNSYLVANIA    UNDER    WILLIAM    AND    MARY. 


139 


near  Germantown,  in  1682.  On  landing,  they  set  about  pro- 
curing shelter.  Some  lodged  in  the  woods  under  trees,  some 
in  caves  which  were  easily  dug  on  the  high  banks  of  the 
Wissahiccon  and  the  Delaware,  and  others  in  hastily  built 
huts.  They  were  abundantly  supplied  with  wood,  water,  and 
fertile  land  ;  and  they  brought  with  them  the  implements  for 
building  and  husbandry.  They  soon  formed  plantations  of 
Indian  corn  and  wheat.  The  forests  furnished  deer,  wild 
turkeys,  and  pigeons  ;  and  the  rivers  abounded  with  fish. 
The  settlers  endured  some  hardships,  it  is  true,  but  they  were 
in  a  rich  country,  and  their  knowledge  of  its  resources,  and 
of  the  free  institutions  which  they  were  to  transmit  to  their 
posterity,  enabled  them  to  conquer  all  difficulties. 

A  second  assembly  was  held  at  Philadelphia,  in  March, 
1683.  During  this  session,  Penn  created  a  second  frame  of 
government,  differing  in  some  points  from  the  former,  to 
which  the  assembly  readily  granted  assent.  They  also  enact- 
ed a  variety  of  salutary  regulations,  by  which  the  growing 
prosperity  of  the  province  was  promoted,  and  its  peace  and 
order  preserved.  Within  four  years  from  the  date  of  the 
grant  to  Penn,  the  province  contained  twenty  settlements,  and 
Philadelphia  2,000  inhabitants. 

Having  received  information  from  his  agent  that  his  pre- 
sence was  required  in  England,  Penn  departed  from  America 
in  August,  1684,  leaving  the  province  under  the  government 
of  five  commissioners,  chosen  from  the  provincial  council. 
Soon  after  his  return,  James  II  ascended  the  throne.  Penn's 
attachment  to  the  Stuart  family,  induced  him  to  adhere  to 
this  unfortunate  monarch  till  long  after  his  fall ;  and  for  two 
years  after  the  revolution  which  placed  William  and  Mary  on 
the  throne,  the  province  was  administered  in  the  name  of 
James.  This  could  not  fail  to  draw  down  the  indignation  of 
King  William  on  the  devoted  head  of  the  proprietary,  who 
suffered  much  persecution  for  his  unflinching  loyalty.  He 
was  four  times  imprisoned.  The  king  took  the  government 
of  Pennsylvania  into  his  own  hands ;  and  appointed  Colonel 
Fletcher  to  administer  the  government  of  this  province,  as 
well  as  that  of  New  York.  It,  at  length,  became  apparent  to 
the  king,  that  Penn's  attachment  to  the  Stuarts  was  merely 
personal,  and  not  attended  with  any  treasonable  designs  ;  and 
he  was  restored  to  favour.  Being  permitted  to  resume  and 


Describe  their  operations. 
What  was  done  in  1683  ? 
What  is  said  of  the  increase  of  the 
colony  ? 


When  did  Penn  return  to  England  ? 
To  what  family  was  Penn  attached  i 
What  was  the  consequence  ? 
How  >?id  be  recover  his  rights  ? 


140 


NEW    CHARTERS    GRANTED. 


exercise  his  rights,  he  appointed  William  Markham  to  be  his 
deputy  governor. 

In  1696,  the  assembly  complained  to  Governor  Markham 
of  a  breach  of  their  chartered  privileges  ;  and,  in  consequence 
of  their  remonstrance,  a  bill  of  settlement,  prepared  and  passed 
by  the  assembly,  was  approved  by  the  governor,  forming  the 
ihird  frame  of  government  of  Pennsylvania. 

In  1699,  Penn  again  visited  his  colony,  accompanied  by 
his  family,  with  the  design  of  spending  the  remainder  of  his 
life  among  his  people.  He  was  disappointed,  however,  by 
finding  the  colonists  dissatisfied  with  the  existing  state  of 
things.  Negro  slavery,  and  the  intercourse  with  the  Indian 
tribes,  those  prolific  sources  of  disquiet  in  all  periods  of  oui 
history,  were  the  subjects  of  much  unpleasant  altercation  be 
tween  the  proprietary  and  the  colonists.  Certain  laws,  which 
he  prepared  for  regulating  these  affairs,  were  rejected  by  the 
assembly.  His  exertions,  in  recommending  a  liberal  system 
to  his  own  sect,  were  attended  with  better  success,  and  the 
final  abolition  of  slavery,  in  Pennsylvania,  was  ultimately 
owing  to  their  powerful  influence. 

Penn  soon  determined  to  return  to  England,  and  he  naturally 
desired  to  have  some  frame  of  government  firmly  established 
before  his  departure.  In  1701,  he  prepared  one  which  was 
readily  accepted  by  the  assembly.  It  gave  them  the  right  of 
originating  laws,  which  had  previously  been  vested  in  the 
governor :  it  allowed  to  the  governor  a  negative  on  bills 
passed  by  the  assembly,  together  with  the  right  of  appointing 
his  own  council,  and  of  exercising  the  whole  executive  power. 
This  new  charter  the  Three  Lower  Counties  refused  to  ac- 
cept ;  and  they  were  consequently  separated  from  Penn- 
sylvania ;  electing  an  assembly  of  their  own,  but  acknowledg- 
ing the  same  governor. 

Immediately  after  the  acceptance  of  his  fourth  charter,  Penn 
returned  to  England.  Here  he  was  harassed  by  complaints 
against  the  administration  of  his  deputy  governor,  Evans, 
whom  he  finally  displaced,  appointing  Charles  Gookin  in  his 
place.  Finding  the  discontents  were  still  not  allayed,  Penn, 
now  in  his  sixty-sixth  year,  addressed  the  assembly  for  the 
last  time,  in  a  letter,  which  marks  the  mild  dignity  and  wis- 
dom of  his  character  and  the  affectionate  concern  which  he 


\Vnat  was  done  in  1696  ? 
In  1699  ? 

Describe  the    form  of    government 
adopted  in  1701. 


What    is   said  of  the  Lower  Coun- 
ties ? 

When  did  Penn  return  to  England  ? 
What  followed  ? 


FRANKLIN  S   MISSION   TO    LONDON. 


felt  for  the  future  welfare  of  the  province.  This  letter  is  said 
to  have  produced  a  powerful  effect ;  but  before  this  could  be 
known  to  the  illustrious  founder,  he  had  been  seized  with  the 
disease  which  terminated  his  active  and  useful  life.  By  the 
universal  consent  of  historians  and  statesmen,  Penn  has  been 
placed  in  the  very  highest  rank  among  the  benefactors  and 
moral  reformers  of  mankind.  The  influence  of  his  character 
has  never  ceased  to  be  felt  in  the  institutions  of  the  state 
which  he  founded ;  and  his  memory  will  be  cherished  by  a 
grateful  people  to  the  remotest  ages. 

The  legislatures  and  governors  of  Pennsylvania,  acting  on 
the  principles  of  their  founder,  acquired  by  equitable  pur- 
chases from  the  Indians,  a  most  extensive  and  unembarrassed 
territory,  which  was  rapidly  filled  with  settlers.  The  only 
subject  of  disquiet  in  the  colony,  for  many  years,  was  a  dis- 
pute between  the  governors  and  assembly,  on  the  question  of 
exempting  lands  of  the  proprietary  from  general  taxation,  a 
claim  which  the  people  resisted  as  unjust.  After  many  dis- 
putes on  this  subject,  the  assembly  deputed  the  celebrated 
Benjamin  Franklin,  as  an  agent  to  London,  to  petition  the 
king  for  redress.  The  subject  was  brought  before  the  privy 
council,  and  finally  adjusted  by  a  compromise;  Franklin,  as 
agent,  entering  into  engagements  that  the  taxes  should  be 
assessed  in  a  fair  and  equitable  manner ;  and  the  governor 
assenting  to  the  bill  for  levying  them. 

After  the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war,  a  new 
constitution  was  adopted  by  the  people,  which  excluded  the 
proprietary  from  all  share  in  the  government.  His  claim  to 
quit-rents  was  afterwards  purchased  for  570,000  dollars. 

Pennsylvania,  which,  excepting.  Georgia,  was  the  last  of 
the  colonies  settled,  had  a  more  rapid  increase  than  any  of 
her  competitors,  in  wealth  and  population.  In  1775,  she 
possessed  a  population  of  372,208  inhabitants,  collected  and 
raised  in  less  than  a  century. 


What  is  said  of  his  last  letter,  and  its 

effect  ? 

When  did  he  die  ? 
What  was  his  character  ? 
How  did  the  legislatures  and  govern- 


ors of  Pennsylvania  extend  then 

territories  ? 

What  was  a  subject  of  dispute  ? 
How  was  the  matter  adjusted  ? 
What  is  said  of  the  increase  of  tlw 

colony  I 


142 


HEATH'S  PATENT. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


COLONISATION    OF    NORTH    CAROLINA. 

THE  unsuccessful  attempts  of  the  French,  under  Admiral 
Coligny,  to  form  permanent  settlements  on  the  coast  of  Caro- 
lina, have  already  been  noticed.  Those  which  were  made 
under  Elizabeth,  by  Raleigh  and  Gilbert,  have  been  comprised 
in  the  history  of  Virginia,  of  which  colony  Carolina  was  then 
considered  a  part.  But  for  the  removal  of  the  settlers  into 
Virginia,  Carolina  would  have  been  the  first  permanent  Eng- 
lish colony  in  America. 

It  was  not  till  the  year  1630,  that  Sir  Robert  Heath,  at- 
torney general  of  Charles  I,  obtained  a  patent  for  the  regior* 
south  of  Virginia,  bounded  north  by  the  36th  degree  of  nortK 
latitude,  and  extending  to  Louisiana.  This  immense  territory 
was  named  Carolina.  Heath's  patent  led  to  no  settlements 
however,  and  was  consequently  declared  void. 

Between  the  years  1640  and  1650,  a  considerable  numbet 
of  persons,  suffering  from  religious  intolerance  in  Virginia, 
fled  beyond  her  limits  ;  and,  without  a  grant  from  any  quarter, 
settled  that  portion  of  North  Carolina  which  lies  north  of 
Albemarle  Sound.  They  found  a  mild  climate,  and  a  fertile 
soil;  and,  as  their  cattle  and  swine  procured  their  own  sub- 
sistence in  the  woods  and  multiplied  rapidly,  they  were 
able  to  live  in  comparative  ease  and  abundance.  They  ac- 
knowledged no  sovereign,  and  obeyed  no  laws,  but  such  as 
resulted  from  their  own  sense  of  right  and  wrong.  Several 
families,  from  Massachusetts,  settled  soon  after  near  Cape 
Fear,  but  their  lands  and  fisheries  proving  unproductive,  they 
were  under  the  necessity  of  obtaining  relief  from  their  parent 
colony. 

The  final  settlement  of  Carolina  originated  with  Lord 
Clarendon,  and  other  courtiers  of  Charles  II.  On  their  ap- 
plication for  a  charter,  he  granted  them,  in  1663,  all  the  lands 
lying  between  the  31st  and  36th  degrees  of  north  latitude, 
and  extending  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  The  charter 
granted  the  usual  power  to  make  laws,  with  the  approbation 
of  the  freemen  of  the  colony ;  and  reserved  to  the  crown  the 


-n  what  colony  was  North  Carolina 

originally  included  ? 
What  is  said  of  Heath's  patent  ? 


Describe  the  earliest  permanent  settle- 
ment at  Albemarle. 

To  whom  did  Charles  II  grant  • 
charter .' 


REVOLT  OF  THE  PEOPLE  OF  ALBEMARLE. 


143 


right  of  sovereignty.      Religious  freedom  was  also  specially 
provided  for. 

The  proprietaries,  by  virtue  of  this  charter,  claimed  all  the 
lands  of  Carolina,  and  jurisdiction  over  all  who  had  settled 
on  them.  The  settlers  in  Albemarle,  being  placed  under  the 
superintendence  of  Sir  William  Berkeley,  governor  of  Vir- 
ginia, he  visited  the  colony,  confirmed  the  land  titles,  ap 
pointed  civil  officers,  authorised  the  calling  of  a  general  as- 
sembly ;  and,  when  these  arrangements  were  completed, 
entrusted  the  government  to  Mr.  Drummond. 

The  inhabitants  of  Albemarle  were  not  satisfied  with  the 
new  order  of  things.  They  petitioned  to  hold  their  lands  on 
the  same  tenure  as  lands  were  held  in  Virginia;  and,  no/ 
receiving  a  favourable  answer,  they  broke  out  in  insurrection, 
and  remained  in  open  revolt  for  nearly  two  years ;  but  they 
returned  to  their  allegiance  on  receiving  assurance  that  their 
petition  was  granted,  and  that  Samuel  Stephens,  who,  in 
1667,  had  been  appointed  governor,  would  give  them  lands 
in  Albemarle,  on  the  same  terms  as  they  were  usually  granted 
in  Virginia.  A  constitution  was  at  the  same  time  fixed,  pro- 
viding for  the  annual  election  of  a  legislature,  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  governor  and  half  the  council  by  the  proprieta- 
ries, and  the  right  of  the  assembly  to  regulate  taxation.  In 
1669,  governor  Stephens  convoked  the  first  assembly  under 
this  constitution. 

It  was  in  the  same  year  that  the  Earl  of  Shaftesbury,  being 
commissioned  to  prepare  the  fundamental  constitutions  of 
Carolina,  employed,  for  that  purpose,  the  celebrated  John 
Locke.  His  system,  however,  was  found  to  be  totally  inap- 
plicable to  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  designed.  It  was 
ultimately  abrogated  by  consent  of  the  legislature. 

Meantime  some  settlers  near  Cape  Fear  were  formed  into 
a  separate  county,  called  Clarendon,  under  the  direction  of 
Sir  John  Yeamans,  as  commander  in  chief.  North  Carolina 
was,  in  fact,  divided  into  two  distinct  colonies,  Albemarle 
and  Clarendon,  with  a  governor  to  each  ;  but  this  arrange- 
ment was  not  of  long  duration. 

In  1670,  William  Sayle,  being  sent  out  by  the  proprieta- 
ries of  North  Carolina,  settled  at  Port  Royal ;  and  in  the 
following  year,  being  dissatisfied,  he  formed  another  settle- 
ment on  the  banks  of  the  Cooper  and  Ashley  rivers,  which, 


What    was    done    by    Sir   William 

Berkeley  ? 

By  the  inhabitants  of  Albemarle  ? 
How  were  they  satisfied  i 


When  was  the  first  assembly  con- 
voked ?     By  whom  ? 
What  is  said  of  Locke's  constitution  } 
Of  the  settlers  near  Cape  Fear  ? 


144 


CULPEPPER  8    INSURRECTION. 


in  honour  of  the  king,  was  called  Charleston.  This  ulti- 
mately led  to  the  establishment  of  a  separate  colony,  which 
was  called  South  Carolina.  Sir  John  Yeamans  was,  soon 
after,  made  governor  of  this  new  colony.  Clarendon  and 
Albemarle  were  united,  and  formed  the  original  foundation 
of  the  present  State  of  North  Carolina. 

The  settlers  of  this  northern  colony  were  scattered  along 
the  coast,  the  sounds,  and  the  rivers.  Their  progress  was 
slow,  and,  in  1702,  the  population  was  no  more  than  6,000. 
Their  prosperity  was  hindered  by  some  disadvantages  of 
local  situation  ;  but  still  more  by  civil  dissensions. 

In  1677,  the  dissatisfaction  of  the  colonists  with  the  mea- 
sures of  the  deputy  governor,  led  to  an  open  insurrection, 
headed  by  one  Culpepper,  who  imprisoned  the  proprietary 
officers,  seized  the  royal  revenue ;  and,  in  fact,  exercised  all 
the  powers  of  an  independent  government.  After  two  years 
of  successful  revolt,  the  insurgents,  apprehending  an  inva- 
sion from  Virginia,  sent  Culpepper  and  Holden  to  England, 
to  offer  submission,  on  condition  of  having  their  past  pro- 
ceedings ratified.  But  Culpepper  was  seized,  and  tried  for 
high  treason.  The  influence  of  Lord  Shaftesbury  saved  him 
from  conviction  ;  and  the  proprietaries  sent  out  Seth  Sothel 
to  restore  order  in  the  colony.  His  administration  was  ut- 
terly corrupt  and  tyrannical ;  and  the  inhabitants.,  after  six 
years'  endurance  of  his  oppression,  seized  him  in  order  to 
send  him  to  England  for  trial ;  but,  at  his  request,  he  was 
detained  and  tried  by  the  assembly,  who  banished  him  from 
the  colony.  He  was  succeeded  by  Philip  Ludvvell.  After 
this  event,  we  find  few  transactions  of  much  interest  in  the 
colony,  excepting  the  arrival  of  some  German  se*ilers  at 
Roanoke,  in  1710,  until  the  year  1712,  when  the  7  uscarora 
and  Coree  Indians,  alarmed  at  the  increase  of  the  white 
population,  formed  a  conspiracy  for  destroying  the  colony 
by  a  general  massacre.  Twelve  hundred  warriors  united  in 
this  plot,  and  agreed  to  commence  their  attack  on  the  same 
night.  When  the  time  came,  they  severally  entered  the 
houses  of  the  planters,  asked  for  provisions,  and,  affecting 
to  be  displeased  with  them,  murdered  men,  women,  anc 
children,  without  distinction  or  mercy.  Their  measures  were 


Of  North  Carolina  ? 
When  was  Old- Charleston  settled  ? 
Bj  whom .' 

What  did  this  lead  to  ? 
What  is  said  of  the  northern  colony, 
and  its  progress  ? 


Give  an  account  of  Culpepper's  ix 

surrectioii. 

How  did  it  terminate  ? 
What  took  place  in  1710  ? 
In  1712? 


SEPARATION    OF    THE    CAROLINAS. 


145 


taken  with  such  secrecy  and  despatch,  that  no  alarm  was 
spread  until  each  house  was  the  scene  of  a  murderous  tra- 
gedy. At  Roanoke,  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  of  the 
settlers  were  massacred.  A  few  escaped  to  the  other  settle- 
ments ;  and  they  were  placed  in  a  posture  of  defence,  until 
assistance  should  arrive  from  South  Carolina. 

Colonel  Barnwell  of  South  Carolina  was  sent,  with  600 
militia  and  366  Indians,  to  their  relief.  After  marching 
through  a  wilderness  of  200  miles,  he  arrived  at  the  encamp- 
ment of  the  Indians,  attacked  and  defeated  them,  killing  300 
of  their  number,  and  taking  100  prisoners.  The  survivors 
sued  for  peace.  Hostilities  were  soon  after  renewed,  and 
the  Indians  suffered  another  terrible  defeat  from  a  party 
under  Colonel  James  Moore.  Disheartened  by  these  re- 
peated disasters,  the  Tuscaroras  abandoned  their  ancient 
haunts,  and,  migrating  to  the  north,  united  themselves  with 
the  Five  Nations,  constituting  the  sixth  of  that  famous  con- 
federacy. 

After  South  Carolina  was  settled,  that  colony  and  North 
Carolina  had  remained  distinct,  so  far  as  to  have  separate 
governors  and  assemblies  ;  but  they  had  remained  under  the 
same  proprietaries.  In  1729,  seven  of  the  proprietaries  sold 
their  rights,  and  they  were  completely  separated.  This 
measure  promoted  the  peace,  security,  and  happiness  of  both 
colonies.  The  last  of  the  proprietary  governors  of  North 
Carolina  was  Sir  Richard  Everhard.  The  first  royal  go- 
vernor was  George  Barrington. 

The  population  of  North  Carolina  increased  but  slowly  for 
the  first  hundred  years.  About  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth 
century,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  lands  of  the  interior  were 
far  more  fertile  than  those  on  the  coast.  From  this  time 
emigrants,  chiefly  from  Pennsylvania,  poured  into  that  re- 
gion in  great  numbers,  and  the  lands  were  speedily  brought 
into  a  state  of  high  cultivation.  In  1775,  the  population  of 
the  colony  was  estimated  at  a  quarter  of  a  million. 


What  is  said  of  Colonel  Barnwell  ? 
Of  the  Tuscaroras  ? 
How  was  the  separation  of  North  and 
South  Carolina  effected  ? 


What  was  its  effect  ? 
Give    the    subsequent    remarks 
North  Carolina. 


13 


